The Boyd-Buchanan soccer Buccaneers might not have gotten the offensive production they're used to, but they found just enough to get the win at home Thursday night.
The Bucs defeated Signal Mountain 1-0 behind a late Sam Bruner goal and a stellar team defensive performance.
"We knocked the ball around well tonight," Boyd-Buchanan coach Dustin Walker said. "We just weren't on the end of them like we normally are, but credit goes to Signal for defending really well tonight.
Boyd-Buchanan (11-1) had a couple of chances early in the first half, including a rebound that looked to be headed for a wide-open net, only to be saved by a couple of Eagles defenders. Despite giving up those early looks, Signal Mountain (6-5-3) settled in defensively, allowing the potent hosts only nine shots in the first half.
"Signal did a great job of keeping their defensive shape and keeping us out of their box," Walker said. "I was proud of the guys, though. I felt like we were creative and moved well off the ball."
The Bucs' defense was tremendous, as the Eagles did not get a shot off during the entire first half.
Signal Mountain had chances to score early in the second half, however. The second of those opportunities was a set play following a foul just outside the goalkeeper box. The shot was saved by keeper Harrison VanEaton on a tremendous dive to his left, and that would be the last shot the Eagles would get.
The Bucs finally cashed in on their possession advantage in the 61st minute, as Bruner found a loose ball on his foot right in front of an empty net and knocked it in for the game's only goal.
"We had so many chances tonight," Bruner said. "I thought they packed the box well, but we could've finished a little better. We got the win in the end, and that's all that matters. Our goal is to win it all, and we know we can do that."
It was senior night for the Bucs, who have six 12th-graders on their roster. One of those seniors, Nick McElroy, had his only touch of the season in the game, but it was meaningful.
McElroy, a key contributor to last year's team that made a state quarterfinal run, tore an ACL in a club game last summer. He has not been able to play this season but was cleared last Monday to resume practice with no contact.
In a show of sportsmanship, Signal Mountain allowed McElroy to receive the opening kickoff and kick it out of bounds.
"It was so good to have him out here," Walker said. "He's hilarious and the guys love him. He brings such a positive culture to our team. It was good to get him on the field tonight and touch a ball in a game. It was really nice of Signal Mountain to let us do that."
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com.