Buford outscores Tigers 2-0
Updated: April 1, 2014, 3:53 p.m.
Buford (5-6-1) scored two first half goals and the Tigers couldn't recover in a 2-0 loss last week at Buford.
Both goals occurred within five minutes of each other.
It was the second loss of the season for the No. 6-ranked Class AAA Tigers.
"What an up and down week," said Head Coach Jed Lacey. "Everything went wrong from the coin toss on."
The March 25 game saw wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour. The team that won the coin toss would have a distinct advantage.
Buford won the toss and kept just eight players on offense because they knew Dawson County would have a hard time clearing their half of the field.
The Wolves smothered the Dawson County defense, which led to both goals.
After halftime the wind slacked up and the Tigers never had the wind advantage.
"We went into hurry mode and could not ever get our rhythm going because of the pace we were trying to play with and our team concept fell completely apart," Lacey said.
The March 28 game saw the Tigers get off to a quick start against North Hall (8-3-1). Sal Mendoza scored just one minute into the contest on an assist by Brandon Lund. It was Lund's 12th assist of the season, three short of a school record.
Playing in a driving rain, the Tigers overcame the elements to score a second goal in the final half on a goal by Lund with 16:59 left. It was Lund's 19th goal of the season. The goal came on an assist by Josh Sage.
"Brandon is hands down one of the best strikers in the state in all classifications," Lacey said. "This kid is just different in his skill set. Brandon has the whole package. He is the most creative player I have ever had the honor of coaching in my career."
Goalie Brooks Fulford picked up his fifth shutout of the season.
"We knew the North Hall game was going to be a war. Two great teams fight to stay at the top of the region and both needing a win," Lacey said. "I have to give Timothy Moody, freshman defender, props on a great night starting on defense in the absence of David Velasquez. Tim was lights out."
Dawson County is now 10-2 overall going into Spring Break. The Tigers are 3-1 in Region 7-AAA.
Lacey and his team are off until April 11 when they will travel to Wesleyan (4-5-1).
Note: Four teams in Region 7-AAA are currently ranked in the top 10. Those include Dawson County, East Hall, West Hall and North Hall.