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STEUBENVILLE – The first five minutes and the last five minutes of each are often points of emphasis for soccer coaches.
The Big Red boys soccer team scored an early goal and a late goal in the first half, however, Beaver Local collected a goal in each half as the team team's played to a 2-2 tie on a sunny Thursday evening on Reno Saccoccia Field inside Harding Stadium.
"We came out and played really well in the first 20 minutes," Big Red (2-1-1) head coach Greg Bowers said. "We chances to extend our lead, but we were not able to do so. They were able to score a goal. If we were able to score another one early in the second half, it could have been a different story. We weren't able to score, and we them hang around too long."
The Beavers record a goal in each and half.
"We knew they were a tough team," Beaver Local (4-0-1) head coach Joseph Zirillo said. "We knew it was going to take a couple of goals to win the game. We both found the net a couple of times."
Matt Loot and Cole Bowers each tallied a goal and an assist for the Red-and-Black.
"They have played together the last two years," Coach Bowers said. "They have good chemistry. They know when the other makes runs, and they know how to find each other. We are going to have to have other players step up. It can just be a two-man show."
Kaleb Mays produced a pair of goals for the boys from Columbiana County, while Johnny Wilson contributed an assist.
Loot opened the scoring 23 seconds into the match off an assist to Bowers to give the hosts an early a 1-0 lead.
"We talked about having to come out fast, but we also talked about keeping our composure," Zirillo said. "We know goals are going to happen in soccer, and we have to answer when it does happen."
The hosts held lead for most of the first half until Mays scored his first goal of the match to knot the score at 1-all with 4:23 remaining to be played before halftime. Wilson assisted on the goal.
The score remained tied until Bowers scored with 14 seconds left in the half to give the boys from Jefferson County a 2-1 advantage. The goal came as a result of Bowers knocking the ball into the net following a corner kick by Loot.
"The last five minutes were big," Coach Bowers said. "We were able to answer them. We did not play as well in the first five minutes of the second half. If we did, it is probably a different game."
Big Red held the lead until Mays scored on a penalty kick with 23:59 left to play.
"They move the ball well," Coach Bowers said about the Beavers. "They are patient in the middle. The build from there. Up front, they have speed, and they are dangerous."
Both teams had chances to break the tie, but neither was able to get another shot into the back of the net.
"We knew they were tall and physical," Zirillo said. "They win a lot of 50-50 balls."
Hunter Warrick made seven saves in goal for the visitors, while Brady Dinovo also made seven saves for Big Red.
"So far, so good," Zirillo said asked how the season has gone for his team so far. "We have started out hot, but now we are going into the bulk of our schedule. We want to continue to play well."
Both teams had at least a dozen goal kicks, and Big Red held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.
"We had opportunities to score," Coach Bowers said. "We have to learn you can score with passes and not just with the laces. We are going to work on our finishing. We are going to build off this starting Saturday."
Beaver Local outshot Big Red, 13-11, and both teams took nine shots on goal.
Big Red is scheduled to play Tri-Valley at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning at home.
Beaver Local is slated to play St. Clairsville at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the road down at Red Devil Stadium.