Posted: 9/1/04

Boys soccer falls in opener

Joe Drennan
Sports Editor

A 4-1 loss to Coon Rapids is how the Forest Lake High School boys soccer team started their 2004 season.

Forest Lake got on the board first when Jordan Bengston scored on a free kick. Coon Rapids was able to even the score about ten minutes before the half.

ìWe went into halftime 1-1 and I felt great about that,î Forest Lake head coach Sean Conley said. ìThat was a good feeling for me in my first game as head coach.î

Coon Rapids netted another goal after halftime after a questionable foul was called, awarding Coon Rapids a free kick. Coon Rapids scored on the free kick then went on to score two more goals to win the game 4-1.

ìIt was a tough game,î Conley said, ìCoon Rapids is a very good team.î

Despite the loss, Conley feels his team is coming together nicely as they started conference play Tuesday night against White Bear Lake.

ìThere are things we need to work on, but that comes with any team,î Conley said. ìI think right now weíre doing alright. Iím working with different formations and at times it looked great against Coon Rapids.î

As Conley works through different formations trying to find the one that best suits his team he says his players are working hard and adapting well to the different ideas.

Knowing there may be some confusion on the part of the players with new formations, Conley said, ìthey did what I asked and what they needed to do against Coon Rapids. There werenít any surprises other than a few pleasant ones.î

Two players that played well against Coon Rapids were Jim Harnett on defense and Bobby Hager who gave Forest Lake some power up front.

After Tuesdayís White Bear Lake game, Forest Lake gets another shot at a Suburban East Conference opponent when they take on Mounds View tonight, Thursday, at home at 7 p.m.

ìWeíre getting right into our conference schedule and I canít wait to see what happens,î Conley said.

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