Since becoming head boys soccer coach at Siloam Springs, Brent Crenshaw has faired well against his previous school, Owasso, Okla.
The Panthers defeated the Rams 4-2 at Panther Stadium in Siloam Springs in Crenshaw's first season in 2016, and last year Siloam Springs pulled out a 1-1 (5-4 penalty kicks) victory at Owasso.
It was a different story for Crenshaw and the Panthers on Tuesday night.
Owasso jumped on Siloam Springs for three quick goals in the first half and had the Panthers on their heels most of the night in a 3-0 shutout victory on a cold night at Panther Stadium.
"(Owasso) came in and we weren't ready to go in the first 10 to 15 minutes, and they finished their chances," said Crenshaw, who was Owasso's head boys coach for two seasons and led the Rams to the state finals in 2014. "We still had to defend the rest of the night and were lucky to get out of there 3-0 in my opinion. They were just a lot better team tonight."
Owasso jumped on the scoreboard just 91 seconds into the match when Christian Johnson possessed the ball up the Rams' left flank and crossed over to Kolby Bauer who put the ball in the net with 38:29 left in the first half.
The Rams nearly went up 2-0 in the 13th minute when Owasso was awarded a penalty kick, but Siloam Springs goalkeeper Wyatt Church made a save diving to his left.
The moment was shortlived though as Owasso scored on a header by Javier Rubio just 41 seconds later, taking a 2-0 lead with 26:38 left in the first half.
Rubio scored again with 23:31 left in the first half to give the Rams a 3-0 lead.
"We were really pleased, especially with our first half," said Owasso head coach Josh Bushyhead. "We've done really well. They did a good job of keeping us from possessing. We've really been possessing really well out of the back, but (Siloam Springs) applied some pressure that caused us to have to possess in the final third instead. We've had an issue scoring goals. Fortunately, we were able to put three away in the first half."
Siloam Springs had a chance or two offensively in the second half, but for the most part the Panthers were not able to slow down the Rams (5-0), who actually scored again late but the goal was waved off because of an offsides penalty.
The Rams are vastly improved, Crenshaw said, thanks to a strong sophomore class that is ranked regionally and nationally on the club ball circuit.
Owasso's seniors are also a good group and the last group of players that Crenshaw coached before coming to Siloam Springs.
"It was good seeing those kids. They're a very talented team," Crenshaw said. "Those kids that are seniors now, they were freshmen when I coached there. It was great seeing them play and their success. Then I knew when I left there that sophomore class was going to be a very strong class because they had club teams that were ranked regionally and some of them were ranked nationally. I knew it was going to be a really good team in the next couple of years."
Tulsa Edison 2, Siloam Springs 1
TULSA, Okla. -- The Panthers saw their overall record fall to 4-4-3 after a one-goal loss at Tulsa Edison on Thursday night.
Eli Simpson scored the Panthers' lone goal.
Up next
Siloam Springs is now off for spring break and returns to action on Monday, March 26, when the Panthers play at Grove, Okla. It's a much-needed break for the Panthers, according to Crenshaw.
"It's early, but I still feel like we've got the players to be successful," Crenshaw said. "I'm a little worried about our work rate and the little detail things like movement off the ball and first touch and those little things. I think those will come. I'm pretty sure they're ready for a physical and mental break. We've gone pretty tough since January and that takes a toll on these kids. We'll take spring break off and they come back focused on the details for conference play."
Sports on 03/18/2018