Tigers fall in opener, tie against Caldwell

The Mountain Home Tigers boys soccer team managed a tie with Caldwell at home Saturday, after getting shut out on the road in their first two conference games last week.

Columbia 1

Mountain Home 0

The Mountain Home Tigers dropped their opening boys soccer game 1-0 at Columbia last Tuesday.

Tomas Guillen had five saves on goal and Jack Richelieu had three saves on goal in the defensive battle.

Nampa 2

Mountain Home 0

The Tigers had another tough defensive battle at Nampa, but came up short, 2-0, to the Bulldogs last Thursday in conference boys soccer.

Jack Richelieu had 15 saves on goal for the Tigers in the loss, which dropped the Tigers to 0-2 on the season and in conference.

Mountain Home 4

Cougars 4

The Tigers found some scoring punch against Caldwell on Saturday, battling the Cougars to a 4-4 tie.

Michael Daniels and Juan Sanchez scored goals for the Tigers in the first half, and Tyler McCloud and Austin Clark both had second half goals.

Jack Richelieu had 18 saves on goal for the Tigers as goalkeeper.

"It was a rough week for us," said Tiger boys soccer coach Jay Lockett. "We've got areas we need to work on, and we're young, but there's a glimmer of hope as we start progressing and making improvements."

The Tigers are home against Skyview Tuesday, and travel to Bishop Kelly Thursday.

"We have a young varsity team this year, but we also have a lot of talent and a great coaching staff," Lockett said. "We got stronger as the week progressed and our tie against Caldwell shows just how competitive we are.

"I would personally like to invite the folks from Mountain Home to come to our home games and see what an exciting year we are going to have and why soccer is the fastest growing sport in the country."

This year there is a grass roots effort to build spirit and support around the soccer program. The field was decorated and there were hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill along with a variety of concessions being sold by volunteer parents in an effort to provide spectators with "a true sporting-event atmosphere."

The Mountain Home Fire Department brought out its ladder truck with the American flag and MHHS Athletic Director John Clark provided the PA system in order to make team introductions.

At the suggestion of Lockett, the team offers a VIP seating area -- a loveseat for two located on the spectator sideline at midfield.