The Rochester boys soccer team headed south on Saturday to face 3A Evergreen, and the Warriors returned home with a 3-1 defeat.
The Warriors opened the scoring in the ninth minute, when Justin Gochez dove and headed in a beautiful ball from Antonio Figueroa on a free kick from about 25 yards out.
“The ball was placed in a really good spot and Justin was able to get his head on it,” Rochester coach Matt Ashton said. “We have been working a lot at practices on free kick scenarios and the placement of the ball. If we can get the ball into the right area of the box, anything can happen."
The Plainsmen responded with a direct free kick goal eight minutes later, and in the 34th minute, they took the lead off an “Olympico,” a goal scored directly off a corner kick.
“This was unfortunate and something that we will learn from,” Ashton said. “We need to be more focused and prepared and this will be an emphasis at practice this coming week."
A Rochester own-goal doubled the Evergreen advantage less than four minutes later, a play that Ashton said the defender did everything right on, but was just “unlucky.”
“These things happen in the game of soccer,” Ashton said. “And it was just unfortunate."
The Warriors were able to generate a few more chances in the second half, but the ball never found the back of the net again and the halftime scoreline held until the final whistle.
Ashton said that the Warriors learned a lot from their opener, noting that if they can fix the mental mistakes and connect better on their passes, they should be in line for a good season.
The Warriors are back in action on Tuesday against Black Hills in their league and home opener.
