Live Oak — The Suwannee Bulldog boys varsity soccer team took on the Columbia High Tigers Tuesday, Jan. 8 and lost 3-1.
The first half, Suwannee’s defense led by senior Adam Watson held Columbia to one goal. After halftime, Columbia scored immediately to make it a 2-1 game. Suwannee then came alive and starting pounding shouts at Columbia’s keeper; when finally Jai Kinsey dribbled through a couple of Tiger players and scored a goal, only to have it called back by the referee, so the game remained 2-1. Suwannee continued to fight, but Columbia ended up scoring another goal with about 30 minutes left to play. Manuel Juarez finally scored a goal for Suwannee when senior Justin Shirah fired a shot at the goalie, he deflected and Juarez finished it for a goal. Suwannee was unable to make up the other goals and the game ended 3-1.

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Suwannee falls to Bishop Kenny




By Andrew McGee

andrew.mcgee@gaflnews.com



The team lost to Jacksonville’s Bishop Kenny on their home turf Thursday, Jan. 10 and lost 4-0.
“Regardless of what the score indicated, it was by far the best game to date this season,” said coach B.J. Shirah. “It just shows were getting a lot better. That team just beat one of the top teams in the nation. Last year they beat us 3-0 at home and we ended up knocking them out in district play, so it goes to show you how much you can advance as the season progresses.”

Team manager Kellie Shirah said they kept the first to zero-zero.

She added that their team made a couple of crucial errors and that in the second half, Bishop Kenny was able to score twice back-to-back and later in the half, they were able to score two more points.

“The score was not indicative of their playing,” said Shirah. “We are very proud. Their team was bigger and our team is relatively young. They’re progressing though and that’s what counts.”



Suwannee Bulldogs beat Newberry



By Andrew McGee

andrew.mcgee@gaflnews.com



The team beat Newberry 5-0 Friday night at Paul Langford Stadium.


After the Bulldogs had secured four points, coach B.J. Shirah decided to give his JV players a good workout.

“We had all of our subs (substitutes) in and even brought some JV players up to make it better for the other coach for coming up here,” said Shirah. “He didn’t really want to play us. They’ve really had a rough season.”

He added that If he had decided to leave his starters in, they could have mercy-ruled Newberry in the first half. He wanted to keep the game alive and give his young guys some playing time.

The Bulldogs had five different goal scorers for the game which, according to manager Kellie Shirah, is somewhat unusual. The goal scorers were: senior Jacob Burnham, Leonel Alvarez, Yorch Olguin, Jai Kinsey and senior Adam Watson.
This game was also senior night for Suwannee.