At the Frederick county Boys Soccer tournament over a week ago, the Knights were ahead of Oakdale 2-0 in a torrential downpour. An unfortunate series of events led to Oakdale tying it up in regulation, and then winning it in penalty kicks.

Last night the Bears got off to an early lead with a strike from junior forward Matt Yerardi off of an assist by junior forward August Lopez. The Bears were up 1-0 just two minutes into the game.

Oakdale continued to pressure the Knights and sophomore keeper Eric Reichelt, but the Knights defense consistently cleared the ball and got out to some good opportunities early.

The Knights were on a break around midfield when senior captain Caleb Abel was taken down from behind by Kenton Ospaugh, the referee pulled out a yellow card, but then put it back and Ospaugh received just a “warning”.  The game had been physical up to that point, but the referees ceased control of the game.

With ten minutes left in the first half the Knights were putting lots of pressure on the Bears, when two questionable offside were called on sophomore Clay Smith, and then senior captain Justin Hohl.

The rest of the first half was back and forth, and the Knights went into the locker room with a 1-0 deficit.

With 33 minutes left in the first half the Bears almost added another goal on free kick, but it was stopped by Reichelt. The Knights almost scored on a free kick of their own by Jonathon Tatem, but it went just to the left of the post.

The Knights lost senior captain Connor Smith who had to be carted off the field with 29:50 left in the game.

The Knights continued to dominate the ball in the second half, but the closest they came to an equalizer was a 35 yard rocket by junior Devon Tan which hit the crossbar.

After a few diving saves by Reichelt and narrowly missed opportunities the Knights seemed like they were poised to score at any moment, but off a Knights shot the Bears pushed the ball up the field, and were fouled around the 25 yard line. Ospaugh put it in the back of the net off of the kick across the field with 11:20 left.

The Bears won the game 2-0, Oakdale improves to 7-1-2 on the season, and the Knights fall to 4-3-1.

Middletown will travel to South Carroll on Thursday.