Hampton-Dumont-CAL Boys Thrilling Game vs Belmond-Klemme Ends in a Tie

The Hampton-Dumont-CAL boys soccer team tied 1-1 vs Belmond-Klemme on Monday, April 7 in an exciting game that had a thrilling finish. The game was a competitive battle from beginning to end and had many key moments. Early in the first half it looked like the Broncos were about to strike first, after being rewarded a penalty kick after a handball from a Bulldog defender. Jose Aragon-Mendez had other plans as he lunged to his right to make an incredible save and keep the game tied. Aragon-Mendez spoke on what was going through his head during the penalty kick. 

“I like to play a little mind game with the shooter,” said Aragon-Mendez. “I walk over to where the shooter shoots and then I walk to the side that I hope he shoots on. I don’t know if you remember but I walked over towards the left and I was pointing to the right as he was getting ready to shoot. As soon as he shot it I dove to the right and got it.” 

The game would remain scoreless going into halftime. The majority of the second half would be a stalemate just like the first half with not a ton of shots on goal and a lot of battling for possession. However, with just over eight minutes to go in the game the Bulldogs would finally breakthrough after Hunter Rieken would bury a shot into the back of the net giving his team a 1-0 lead. Rieken discussed how important it was to get that goal on the scoreboard. 

“It was really important for the team because we really wanted to win that game,” said Rieken. “It was 0-0 so I was trying to do it for my team and our community because we lost to these guys last year in overtime. I didn’t want to let that happen again.”

Just when it was beginning to look like the Bulldogs were going to start the season 3-0 with just over one minute left to go in the game, the Broncos would get an opportunity and capitalize on it, scoring the equalizing goal to tie the game at one goal a piece. Neither team would be able to add another goal in the final minute of the game and due to a new rule this season allowing soccer games in a tie, the game would end in a 1-1 draw. Despite the heart breaking finish to the game Bulldogs head coach Danielle Arana was pleased with her team’s effort. 

“I mean we worked together really well,” said Arana. “You know I’ve had some interviews where I’ve been saying how we needed to work a little more as a team and we had some of that. It was a little hard because of the way they play defense, we kind of fell into their traps, but at the end of the day every time we play they play better together and we worked the ball more.”

The tie pushes the Bulldogs record to 2-0-1, as they still remain unbeaten. However, the Bulldogs would drop their first game of the season after a hard fought 4-2 loss to Webster City. After being tied 1-1 at halftime Webster City would outscore the Bulldogs 3-1 in the second half. The Bulldogs also played at Humboldt on Monday and their next game is at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Thursday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m.