<p>The start was slow for Greenwood Christian’s boys soccer team on Monday, but coach Jason Noel couldn’t find fault with the finish.</p>
<p>Three consecutive goals by the Cougars, the first two from senior defender Noah Harris, led to a 3-1 victory over visiting Greenwood. The Cougars have won four of their last five games.</p>
<p>“(Greenwood) was definitely the more aggressive team early,” said Noel after watching his squad improve to 9-6. “We came out really flat. Really sloppy. But it seemed once we got into the (first-half) water break, I think we started playing our game more.”</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
<p>Greenwood (1-14), which came in having scored four goals all season, struck first. Senior Hudson Welliver’s shot on goal was deflected, but still found the back of the net only 6 minutes, 22 seconds into the match.</p>
<p>The Woodmen were able to maintain their lead until late until 3:25 before halftime. Harris knotted the score, getting a kick past Greenwood senior goalkeeper Alexis Anaya. Harris struck again at 33;26 of the second half, delivering a header into goal off a corner kick from senior forward Josue Mier.</p>
<p>At 24:20, the Cougars closed the game’s scoring on a goal from freshman forward Sam Graves.</p>
<p>Noel cited the way Griffin Peters played defense for Greenwood Christian, Harris’s goals and senior Gabe Vessely in goal. “I would say Josue played really good, too,” Noel said. “A lot of the seniors really stepped up because this is their last home game.”</p>
<p>The Cougars outshot the Woodmen, 10-8, in the opening half. The margin was much greater the final 40 minutes with GCA holding a 15-5 advantage in attempts.</p>
<p>“We’ve been a pretty good first-half team this whole season,” Greenwood coach Dan Weber said. “Our problem has been being able to keep up with the opposition’s bench in the second half. We’ve had a few good second halves, but most of them we tend to be a little bit more sluggish.”</p>
<p>Greenwood Christian’s next match is Thursday at Lutheran in a 6 p.m. start. The Woodmen host Southwestern on Wednesday at 6 p.m.</p>
