NEDERLAND – The Dutch boys’ football team ended their season after losing 2-1 to Richmond Foster in the second round of the playoffs on Monday.
The Bulldogs’ Anthony Villanueva scored a header that lasted 11 seconds after an assist from Ethan Vincent.
“I thought we played well,” said Dutch head coach Keith Barrow. “Our schedule was to come out early and get everything on the line. We missed some good opportunities. I think we came up short here. We defended really well. We played really well too. We just couldn’t finish. “
Barrow said his team came out on the wrong end in an inch game.
“Whenever we crossed the ball, we were right there and just missed it,” he said. “We’d reach the end and hardly miss the shot. It was one of those things where you get most things right and the finishing touches to get the ball into the net just wasn’t there. “
Barrow compared the feeling to being able to ride up and down the field in a soccer game but not get into the end zone or get runners on the base and not get runs in baseball.
This year the Bulldogs will complete 12 seniors. Barrow said the trip with the players was bittersweet, especially given that his son Payne Barrow is one of the graduates.
“These are people I saw many times when my son played with a lot of them when they were growing up,” he said. “Everyone was in and out of the house, running around together. It has been a special coaching for her over the past four years. To see how it ends, I go a little deaf. You know the time is coming. Whether it’s this round, the next round, or after the state finals, it will still be the end. It’s a little daunting. “
During the regular season, strikers Payne Barrow and Ethan Vincent led the Bulldogs offensive attack with eight and nine goals respectively.
The head coach said he didn’t have a specific memory that the group noticed over their time at the NHS.
“You feel for all seniors,” said Barrow. “I remember what it felt like to be an athlete. For many of them, it will be the last competitive soccer game they play. Hopefully many of them, if nothing else, will play in adult leagues or intermural sports. I expect them to keep going. It’s one of those things that are difficult to put into words even when you are talking to them. “
Barrow said he was grateful for the time with the senior group and looked forward to what the future holds for each of them.
“I have a lot of great memories and a lot of respect for these young men,” he said. “It was a great ride.”