The boys soccer team battled for a 0-0 draw against the Burlingame Panthers on Friday afternoon, remaining undefeated with a 7-0-3 record.
The Bears had possession to start off the game, pressuring the Panthers’ defense with multiple shots on goal. Early in the half, senior center back Noah de Haaff had a deep pass to an open senior left back Ayden Wise that was called offsides.
M-A had the ball for most of the first half, keeping Burlingame on their toes. With 21 minutes in the first half, senior midfielder Yandel Hernandez had a great opportunity to score but the shot was blocked by a diving save from the Burlingame goalkeeper.
The Bears’ defense took charge of the game, allowing only one shot attempt in the first half. As the first half was coming to a close, the score was still tied 0-0.
“We kept the ball in our control, the other team had little to no chances of scoring,” Hernandez said.
As the second half began, the Panthers’ offense seemed to have woken up, seizing a couple of chances to score, however senior goalkeeper Gabriel Hermosillo blocked each attempt.
It was an extremely competitive game, with yellow cards presented to both sides after arguments and unsportsmanlike conduct.
With 6:13 left in the game, M-A had a chance to score on a cross, but the shot was just wide of the left goalpost.
With barely any time left in the game, senior striker Nathan Thurlow collided with Burlingame’s goalkeeper for an attempted shot. Minutes later the Bears had a free kick just outside the goal box, but the shot flew too high.
Despite all of M-A’s pressure, the game finished in a 0-0 draw. “It wasn’t our best game, we played mediocre and dropped to the other team’s level,” Hernandez said.
“We came out with a mindset—that they weren’t good—and that carried us away,” Hermosillo said. “We’ll be ready the next time we play them.”
The Bears will look to stay undefeated in their next match against the Carlmont Scots on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
