SARATOGA, CA - The Saratoga and Harker boys soccer teams played to a 2-2 draw in the season opener for both teams. While neither team was particularly thrilled with the result, both teams played with quite a lot of speed and skill.
“I think it was a good game. Obviously, it was not the result that we were working for, but it's early in the season and the boys are working hard," Harker coach Shaun Tsakiris said. "And it's a good starting spot for games to come.”
Harker took the lead on a goal by Kevin Hu early in the match past Saratoga goalkeeper Edwin Hu.
"I know I missed opportunities that I could have done better on," Hu said.
Junior Omar Hamade added to Harker's lead with a goal a few minutes later to make it 2-0.
Saratoga cut the deficit to 2-1 on a goal by Kushol Bhattacharjee. Adam Fayad had a potential game-tying goal called back late in the first half.
“I feel we started slow and quite poorly over the first 10-15 minutes," Saratoga coach Chris Stott said.
Saratoga started the second half strong, and despite Harker’s attempt to cut him off, Brennan Sun, scored a goal to make it 2-2. As the rest of the game played out, while both teams made valiant efforts to raise the score, neither succeeded.
“I think we could have been quicker and we should have talked more, and just, you know, play as a team,” Sun said.
“We actually missed several chances because we lost our composure, and we probably could have won the game otherwise," Stott added. "But overall I think it was a fair result, as they had chances too.”
