Despite countless opportunities in the first half, the Brainerd Warriors couldn't finish. They hit the ball over the goal, wide of the goal, short of the goal, just not in the goal.
The inability to capitalize on quality chances resulted in a 1-1 Central Lakes Conference boys' soccer match with the Fergus Falls Otters Monday at Southdale Fields.
It's the second straight tie for the Warriors, who went extra frames with Elk River Saturday for the same 1-1 result.
"It just seems like we're thinking about this too much," Brainerd's Jordan Posch said. "We've never beaten Fergus Falls in Brainerd history. I don't know if it's getting in our heads. We haven't been tending to score a lot at all this season. We've had chances in other games where we couldn't capitalize. It's one thing we really need to work on."
Brainerd's Joseph Nelson (22) and Fergus Falls' Simon Erlandson scrambled for the ball during their match Monday in Baxter. The Warriors and Otters played to a 1-1 tie. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls » Purchase reprints of this photo.
After starting the season with 3-0 and 3-1 victories, Brainerd has managed just five goals in its last four games. The result is one win, one loss and two ties.
The Warriors had only one recorded shot on net in the first half despite at least five other close-range attempts.
"We just need to finish," said Warriors head coach Cahil Collins. "We need to capitalize on the opportunities that we have. Because we had several opportunities in the first half and we just didn't capitalize on them. We need to get our forwards and the people who are in those positions to finish at least on net. All those chances weren't even on net. They were over the net. The goalie didn't even have to make a save."
Posch finally finished at the 72 minute mark for Brainerd. Zach Hoard placed a pass in the perfect spot for the junior midfielder.
"It was pretty bunched up in the middle and I came up running from the middle field," said Posch. "Zach laid it out right in front of me perfectly. It was wide open so there was nothing else you could do.
"I never really thought about the missed chances. Zach had a nice lay off so you have to capitalize on that."
Posch's goal came 15 minutes after Fergus Falls opened the scoring with a rebound past Warrior keeper Brian Sexton.
The senior captain finished with three saves as Brainerd's defense limited the Otters to just one shot in the first half and three in the second.
Warriors 1, Fergus Falls 1
Key: Missed scoring opportunities resulted in Brainerd's second straight tie
Conf: Brd 3-1-1, FF 2-2-1
Overall: Brd 3-1-2, FF 3-4-1
Next: Brainerd hosts Bemidji 1 p.m. Saturday.
The tie moves Brainerd to 3-1-2 with a game against Bemidji Saturday. Then the Warriors play seven straight conference games, including a rematch with St. Cloud Tech - the only team to tag a loss to their record.
"Someone needs to step up," Posch said. "We have good team chemistry. We move the ball well in the midfield and we control the game. When we get into that offensive zone we need someone to step up. That's about it. We all need to step up."
Fergus Falls 0 1 0 0 - 1
Brainerd 0 1 0 0 - 1
Second half: Fergus Falls 56:37; Brd-Jordan Posch (Zach Hoard) 71:30
JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.
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