- March 28, 2024
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The Seabreeze boys soccer team won its eighth game of the season Dec. 14, in a 5-1 matchup against Taylor. Head coach Nik Efremoski attributes his team's success to its commitment to controlling the ball.
BY MATT MENCARINI | STAFF WRITER
When it comes to ball control, the Seabreeze boys soccer team isn’t very good at sharing. And in its Dec. 14 game against Taylor, which the Sandcrabs won 5-1, that couldn't be more obvious.
“We always try to have the ball the whole time,” head coach Nik Efremoski said. “And we try to keep the ball on the ground (and) start from the back. No matter how many mistakes we make, we always try to play with the ball from the back and build (upfield).”
It’s hard work from defenders like Ara Kirakossian and Brooks Davis, who stop the opposing rush and get the ball headed back to the offensive zone, that ultimately turns into goals.
Against Taylor, Kai Koreniuk and Jacob Putting were the beneficiaries, scoring two goals each.
“That’s where most of our scoring comes from,” Efremoski said. “But they do a lot of other work, too — coming back to get the ball and defensive work — so they’re definitely huge for us.”
Koreniuk scored both of his goals in the first half. His first, just 11 minutes into the game, came after a shot went off the post. Koreniuk rebounded and drove it back past the goalie.
Taylor tied the game 1-1 about 11 minutes after that, but Putting’s first goal regained the lead for Seabreeze, and the Sandcrabs cruised from then on.
With about 15 minutes left in the half, Koreniuk, on the breakaway, netted his second goal, giving the Sandcrabs a 3-1 lead.
Second half goals by Putting and Jordan Bowling gave the Sandcrabs their eighth win of the season, with only one loss.
After the team’s winter break, there will only be a handful of regular season games remaining before the district playoffs.
While no head coach is ever completely content with the way their team is playing, Efremoski seems as happy as he could be.
“I can’t ask for anything more from my players,” Efremoski said. “Everything we do in practice, they’re trying to apply it (in games). Sometimes they’re young ... but they’re trying to do the right things.
And so far, it's all working out — thanks to an increase in consistency over last year, Efremoski says. Whereas, last season, the team would play the ball-control style for a stretch, when they got into trouble, they would loosen up.
“We had some great moments last year,” he said. “This year, the difference is that we’re able to extend those great moments. Instead of playing like that for 10 minutes, now we’re doing that for 50, 60 minutes.”