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WELLSBURG -- Brooke threw everything it had at Indian Creek, and it made the difference.
Indian Creek survided a late push from Big Red to earn a tie Monday night, but were not able to do the same Tuesday at Brooke.
The Bruins threw everything they had at the Redskins, and in the end it, paid off as Bruins rallied for a 2-1 victory Tuesday night on the grass soccer field at Brooke.
"The boys played really well," Brooke (5-2) head coach Joe Pepe said. "Do not take anything away from Indian Creek. We played really well, but we just could not find the back of the net. I was worried in the first half. We were possessing the ball well, but they got a breakaway and went across and got a goal. We had a letdown. We have a very-young team. It happens.
"We were able to come out and get a couple of goals in the second half. Take nothing away from Indian Creek. They are a good team. They are a solid team. They move the ball. They possess the ball. They communicate well."
Brooke was on the attack for the majority of the game, and the Bruins outshot the Redskins, 12-3. Brooke took 11 shots on goal, while the Redskins collected two. Indian Creek did hit the crossbar with a shot in the first half.
"We have to work on possessing the ball more," first-year Indian Creek (1-2-2) head coach Aaron Foldi said.
"Our defense was on its heels for most of the game. Our offense has to help out our defense. We have to get things going offensively. That starts with me. At practice, we are going to work on moving the ball and possessing the ball. We have to continue to communicate.
"They put a lot of pressure on Travis (Francis) in goal. Our offense has to do a better job of possessing the ball from the start of the game. Again, that starts with me. We are going to continue to work to get better. It is still the beginning of the season. We are going to continue to get better. This is a learning experience. We have to play for a full 80 minutes."
The Redskins struck first in the first half, however, Indian Creek was unable to hold on to the lead as Brooke countered with two unanswered goals in the second half to earn the hard-fought victory.
William Cruney and Deco Meneses each tallied a goal for the Bruins, while Eddie Marks and Devin Cipoletti each collected an assist.
K.J. Ward made one save in goal for the hosts.
Elijah Llewellyn netted the lone goal for Indian Creek off of an assist by Carson Copeland.
Francis finished the game with nine save for the visitors.
The game was scoreless for more than 11 minutes before Llewellyn found the back of the net 11:32 into the first half to give Indian Creek a 1-0 lead.
"I heard they run their offense through Llewellyn," Pepe said. "They have got a couple of speedsters. No. 24 (Reese Spencer) is one, and they have a couple of others. I figured that's what they would do (run the offense through Llewellyn). He's big. He's strong. He scored the first goal.
"I am very proud of my team. We dug ourselves a hole, but the whole team stepped up. We only have four seniors. The rest of the kids are all underclassmen."
Brooke took seven shots, six on goal, in the first half, however, the home team was unable to get a shot past Francis.
Trailing 1-0, the Bruins finally got on the scoreboard on Cruney's goal 11:56 into the second half. Cruney's shot rolled into the goal at the far post to knot the score at 1-1.
The game remained tied until there was less than seven minutes left. As time ticked off the scoreboard clock, the ball bounced Brooke's away as Meneses's shot from the outside got past Francis and went into the goal to give the Bruins a 2-1 advantage with 6:15 remaining in the match.
Indian Creek tried to mount a comeback, however, the Redskins were unable to get much going offensively enabling the Bruins to hold on the win.
Brooke's constant offensive pressure resulted in Indian Creek having to take 18 goal kicks, while the Bruins only had to take three. Brooke had a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.
"I'm happy we were able to play," Pepe said. "The football team was using the turf field. We practice on both. It flooded down here, and we were not sure if we were going to be able to play. We have a beautiful field here, so why not use it?"
Brooke is scheduled to play rival Wheeling Park at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at home.
"It doesn't get any easier," Pepe said.
Indian Creek is slated to play Jefferson County rival Catholic Central at 2 p.m. Saturday at Kettlewell Stadium.