'Have to adjust': Jays have injuries, can't finish against Legacy

Sep. 7—JAMESTOWN — Brandi Harty knows one thing.

When the injury bug bites — it bites more than just one person.

"We struggle with injuries," Harty said. "With this little bit of a break we've had, I hoped it would help. I think it has but these kids play a lot of minutes and it's a very physical game. It's just what we are having to deal with."

A slew of injuries on the Blue Jay sideline did the Blue Jay soccer team no favors Tuesday evening.

The Jays dropped 3-0 to Bismarck Legacy to move to 3-3-2 in the West Region standings. The Sabers' record now stands at 6-2 in the WDA.

Jamestown will be on the road at Minot on Thursday. The tilt is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

"We're dealing with some personnel issues with injuries and things like that," Harty said of her team. "These boys will work very, very hard but a goal is very deflating."

From the get-go the Jays came out at an aggressive pace, testing Legacy's speed and wherewithal.

Uriel Rivera matched and beat out the Blue Jays' speed three minutes into the opening half. Rivera fooled Grant Lunde into covering his right hip, leaving the left side wide open. Rivera buried one to give the Sabers' a one goal advantage.

"We had multiple opportunities after that first goal to equalize it," Harty said. "But we're really struggling in front of the net right now. We're just not getting the finished product."

Legacy capitalized on a shot by Ben McDonald in the 48th minute to go up 2-0. The Sabers stifled the Jays' scoring chances by putting on the pressure with their man-to-man defense.

The lack of scoring opportunities and a penalty kick for the Sabers put the Jays down 3-0 at the 75 minute mark. The Sabers wound up outshooting the Jays 19-6.

Legacy goalkeeper, Nathaniel Olheiser, helped Legacy maintain its lead. The junior keep turned in a clean sheet, saving all six of the Jays' shots from scoring.

"He's a phenomenal goalkeeper — he's one of the best in the state," Harty said. "He's smart, he's good with his feet and if you score one on him — you earned it"

Olheiser diving save off a shot from Jamestown's Iddi Ramadhahi that was just inches away from putting the Jays on the board. Ramadhahi was responsible for two of the Blue Jays' six shots on goal. The sophomore transfer played the majority of the game, with only a few breaks to rest the legs and stay hydrated.

"He's our little magician," Harty said of Ramadhahi. "He's special. He's still learning but his presence brings a little bit of creativity that these boys aren't used to. When he gets the ball at his feet, people are aware of it. That helps us, we just need to get faster into the attack and finish."

The Jays were one of two teams to serve Legacy a loss this season. Jamestown defeated Legacy 1-0 in its season opener but at that time, the Jays had Connor Traut and Ashton Stockert at their disposal.

Traut has been nursing an ankle injury since the beginning of the season while Stockert was out Tuesday with a recent injury he sustained. Carter Genter was halfway back from his knee injury Tuesday, but still couldn't play a full 80 minutes at his top speed.

"We have such a wide range of experience and the majority of players coming off the bench are quite young so it's tough to step into a role like that when you aren't used to it," Harty said.

"People are having to play positions that they haven't played in a while. We just have to adjust and deal with it. Give Legacy props, they can finish the ball very well right now."

Legacy 3, Jamestown 0

LEG 1 2 — 3

JHS 0 0 — 0

Scoring

First half

1. LEG, Uriel Rivera (unassisted), 3rd minute.

Second half

2. LEG, Ben McDonald (unassisted), 48th minute; 3. LEGm Reece Snow (unassisted), 75th minute.

Shots on goal: Legacy 19; Jamestown 6

Goalkeeper saves: Legacy, Nathaniel Olheiser, 6; Jamestown, Grant Lunde, 16

Records: Legacy 7-2-0 overall, 6-2-0 WDA; Jamestown 3-3-2, 3-3-2