However, it hasn’t happened in almost a month.
The Bearcats have blanked seven consecutive opponents, an accomplishment even their long-time head coach Derek Vierling can’t recall ever happening in team history.
“We have had a couple of years where we didn’t concede many goals - school record is 2007, we had 13 shutouts for the season and conceded only six goals, but we didn’t have seven shutouts in a row,” he said.
The latest shutout was 3-0 at Keller Fossil Ridge (4-5-3 overall, 1-1-2 in district) on Friday, Feb. 6. That was preceded by an 8-0 win at home over Saginaw Chisholm Trail (1-10, 1-1).
The two wins improved the Bearcats (10-3 overall) to 3-0 in District 5-5A.
The Bearcats have not surrendered a goal since they opened the Crowley Tournament - which they won - with a 2-1 win over Arlington Martin on Jan. 15. Since then, they have outscored their opponents 30-0 heading into a showdown at home with Saginaw (6-2-2 overall), also 3-0 in league play.
As for the streak, the only other thing Vierling will say is “We are playing some great defense.”
Vierling praised the back four defenders of senior Hunter Waugh (four-year starter at center back), junior Trent Newton (three-year starter at center back), senior Erik Soltow (four-year starter at right back), and junior Grant Gartman (first year because he played basketball the past two years after starting in high level club soccer in middle school).
“All are really experienced and very talented,” Vierling said. “Plus, when we have a lead and are able to sub some other guys in there has been very little dropoff as we have senior Collin Moore and juniors Arlen Santos and Dawson Folts, who are all very capable and have the talent to start.”
Then, there are senior goalkeepers Drew Vozeh and Mark Graham. Vierling said going into the season they were both playing so well it was decided they split time.
“Thirteen games in they are still doing what needs to be done,” he said. “When our defense does allow a shot they are making the save.”
And if that’s not enough, senior goalkeeper Malachi Behrens has had his moment in the spotlight this season, including four key saves against Mansfield Summit late in the game to preserve a 6-0 shutout win on Jan. 20.
Trapper Davis had a hat trick (three goals), along with an assist, while Grant Cambre scored a pair of goals. Harrison Kear, Kyle Storck, and Evan Randriamahefa each added a goal.
True Voskamp delivered two assists. Also registering assists were Robby Sloan, Collin Moore, Kevin Nava, Arlen Santos, and Graham.
Vozeh and Graham combined in goal to post the shutout.
The game was called via mercy rule with 15 minutes left.
Davis continued his offensive onslaught with a goal and assist to Kear. Newton took Sloan’s corner kick - his second assist - for the third goal.
Vozeh was in goal.
Following their game against Saginaw, the Bearcats visit Granbury (4-8-1, 0-2-1) on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7:15 p.m. They host Azle (5-10-2, 1-3) on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 7:15 p.m. and host Brewer (4-7-1, 0-1-1) on Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
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