On Friday night, Jan. 7, the Suwannee Bulldogs, undefeated in district play, met the Wakulla War Eagles, also undefeated in the district. The game was as exciting and as hard fought as this even match was destined to be. Even though the War Eagles showed 12 experienced seniors on their roster, Suwannee was the first to score, in the first two minutes of the game.

Reggie Johnson booted a free kick from the right side which Emmanuel Acosta tipped with his head, and JD Hales right-footed into the goal. It took Wakulla more than half of the period to come up with an answering goal which they tucked in behind the Suwannee keeper. Immediately after, JD Hales struck again, heading in a cross by Reggie Johnson from the right side. Wakulla managed to get a ball through to even up the score before the first half ended, 2-2.

The Bulldogs quickly came back within the first minutes of the second half. JD Hales threw in the ball, Billy Moran settled it, outdistanced the defender, and sent a left-footed cross to Reggie Johnson, who headed it in. In this see-saw game, it was the War Eagles turn to score, but not before they earned themselves a yellow card protesting a call. Their score came about halfway through the period with an advance on the Wakulla goalie’s long free kick.

With the score tied at 3-3, Suwannee fans bit their nails for 10 more minutes as the Bulldogs tried to break through Wakulla’s strong defense in the middle. With 17 minutes left in the game, their break came.

Billy Moran threw in the ball from the left at the Wakulla end of the field, their keeper stretched to deflect it and then fell in front of Corey Bridges, taking down Corey. Cullen Boggus was on the right side of the net and booted the ball in for the score.

Emotions ran high as both teams fought hard to the end of the game. In the end, Suwannee came out with an important 4-3 win over a district rival.

In the JV game, Jonathan Green, Austin Leavitt, and Josh Hanusek all scored for a 3-0 victory.

The Bulldogs travel to Wakulla Friday night Jan. 14 for an exciting re-match!

See page 4B for more Suwanee Men’s Soccer Photos.