Milton downs Burlington in playoff opener
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
The 2014 season may not have resulted in any wins for the Burlington boys soccer team, but steady improvement throughout the season has coach Phil Molitor optimistic for next year.
“It is difficult to be satisfied with a season with no victories, but I am very proud of all of my players,” he said after Tuesday night’s 3-0 loss at Milton. “They always gave everything they, and they improved each game.”
The eighth-seeded Demons hung tough with No. 1 seed Milton Tuesday night, but three first-half goals were all the Red Hawks needed in the 3-0 shutout.
Burlington finished its season 0-10-3.
For the first 30 minutes, the game was scoreless. Then, Milton fired off three goals in a 10-minute period to close the first half strong.
The Demons held in the second half, but the offense couldn’t get anything going.
Charlie Aguirre returned from an injury and played “tremendous” at right wing defender, according to Molitor.
Molitor also commended the play of goalie Michael Pena.
Burlington found strength in the center of the field.
“Bryan Hanson and Jose Rodriguez played very well as center defenders,” Molitor said. “The trio in the central midfield of Christian Pompa, Luis Jimenez and Marco Hernandez dominated play in the second half.”
Burlington had three ties in its last four games after starting the season 0-9.
The Demons say goodbye to seniors Pena, Colton Gould, Wesley Gavin, Hanson, Luis Enrique Jimenez, Pompa, Aguirre, Noah Ehlen and Emmanuel Hernandez.
“It was overall a good season,” Molitor said. “Hopefully next year will provide some wins.”
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