Spencer, Ia (Northwest Iowa Now) – The Spencer Boys Soccer team played host to West Sioux on Monday night at the Northwest Iowa Soccer Field.

It was a defensive struggle as each side made it very difficult on the opponent in the outside thirds of the field.

Neither team could get a real opportunity at the goal in the first half with the defensive lines disrupting ball movement. West Sioux worked very physically inside the penalty area and out to the touchlines. Spencer was able to disrupt the West Sioux attack farther up field. The score was tied at 0 going into the half.

The second half didn’t start much different, but in the 46th minute, Spencer was called for some contact in the penalty area and the Falcons would be able to line up for a Penalty Kick. Oscar Robles, the top returning goal scorer for West Sioux, lined up against Spencer Keeper Karen Berends and put the ball into the right side of the net to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

Spencer picked up the aggressiveness from there, attacking the back line of West Sioux relentlessly. The Tigers managed to get a few shots on goal, but the back line and goalkeeper Austin Van Engelenhoven continued to keep a clean sheet.

The Tigers had one more opportunity down the stretch which was once again disrupted by Van Engelenhoven and West Sioux was able to drain the clock and pick up their first win over Spencer in 13 tries 1-0.

The Falcons are now 2-1-0 on the year and 1-1-0 in the Northwest Iowa Soccer League. Up next for West Sioux is a trip to Sheldon where they will play Sheldon/Sibley-Ocheyedan-South O’Brien on April 10th.

Spencer takes their first loss on the season with the 2-1-0 overall mark reflecting in Conference play. The Tigers will have a big weekend with a road trip to the Des Moines area where they will play Dallas Center-Grimes on Friday and Norwalk on Saturday.

Here are other Northwest Iowa Soccer League scores from Monday.

Spirit Lake/Park/Okoboji shut out Sheldon/Sibley-Ocheyedan/South O’Brien 2-0, Western Christian of Hull edged out Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 3-2, and Sioux Center topped MOC-Floyd Valley 3-0.

In the girls’ side of the Northwest Iowa Soccer League, Spencer rolled past West Sioux 10-0, Sioux Center beat MOC-Floyd Valley 4-1, Western Christian of Hull routed Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 8-0, and Spirit Lake/Park/Okoboji cruised past Sheldon/Sibley-Ocheyedan/South O’Brien 10-0.