Overtime not kind to 'Cats in league finale at Bellaire

A double overtime goal by Bellaire ended the Houghton Lake varsity soccer squad's Northern Michigan Soccer League season Tuesday night in Bellaire.

A 1-1 tie in regulation led to overtime where the Eagles scored halfway through the second extra period off a throw-in. It was the Bobcats' fifth overtime contest of the season, and the second against Bellaire.

"In a repeat of most of our games, we played more than well enough to win but failed in our opportunities to put the ball into the net," Coach Scott Bockelman said. Bockelman reported that his squad missed several scoring chances off passes and had weak shots that should have been goals.

"The game never should have went to overtime or at least the second one," Bockelman said. "We have not had a team in the last few years that has spread their scoring around as this year but unfortunately it has not been in the quantities we need."

Bo Bradley scored on a header off a throw-in by Brian Moore in the first half for the 'Cats only score. Houghton Lake led 1-0 at the half. "The team came out and played a very aggressive and competitive half against a same opponent," Bockelman said.

Bellaire struck back in the second half when an Eagle forward won a one-on-one duel and scored off a long pass from midfield.

"I am proud though of the way the team kept their composure after several missed fouls that should have been yellow cards against Bellaire," Bockelman said. "The defense also played very well and did their job by keeping us in the game. Also, our keeper Cam Warner made some nice saves plus a penalty kick (save) that kept us in the game."

The Bobcats finished NMSL play at 3-10-1. They traveled to Grayling on Wednesday before starting District 46-3 play on Oct. 13. The Bobcats will face Oscoda in the opening round of District play at 5 p.m. in Oscoda. The winner of the contest will face the winner of the Tawas vs. Standish match on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. in Oscoda.