Marshals fall short in district battle with Graves County

Parker Jennings battled Graves County's Brady Wetherington for ball control in Tuesday's district match-up.
Parker Jennings battled Graves County’s Brady Wetherington for ball control in Tuesday’s district match-up.

DRAFFENVILLE – Marshals Head Coach Andrew Pagel felt Tuesday’s contest with Graves County was going to come down to which teams play-maker makes the final play and in this case, it fell to Rodrigo Garcia who scored the last two goals for the Eagles for the 2nd District win.

“Roddy, tonight was their play maker”, Pagel said. “He has the knack and he’s so savvy. If he has many opportunities, he’s going to make you pay.”

Dawson Jolley put the Marshals on the board first with a goal three minutes into the game.
Dawson Jolley put the Marshals on the board first with a goal three minutes into the game.

The Marshals scored first on a goal just over three minutes into the game by Dawson Jolley. Graves County tied the game at the 23 minute mark on a penalty kick by Marin Murillo. Jolley got a good look at another goal that tipped off of the top of the goal post followed by another penalty kick by Garcia that sailed over the goal.

Caleb McNeely had some good looks near the end of the half and a shot by Seth Strader as the half ended came very close to curving into the goal.

Just 58 seconds into the second half, Austin Stockdale found the back of the net to put the Marshals up 2-1. Garcia tied the game at 25:53, then scored the winning goal with 13 minutes to go.

Daniel Gardner with a nice boot at the nine minute mark, had a chance but sailed just over the goal and Jolley took a penalty kick about 25 yards out that Eagles goal keeper Luis Macias deflected up over the goal.

“We’re disappointed we couldn’t hang onto it”, Pagel said. “It was a battle. It’s going to be a war for the number one seed in our district this year.”

Pagel said of his team’s post-game meeting, “It was all positive after the game. I’m not disappointed in the kids, I’m disappointed for the kids.”

District 2 is loaded with teams who all have a chance at the district title, always the strongest and toughest district in Region 1, with another tough district game ahead for the Marshals on Thursday at Calloway County.

The Marshals led in shots 17-13 and five yellow cards were handed out during the game.

Nate Moore chases down Rodrigo Garcia in a heated Marshall County-Graves County district battle.
Nate Moore chases down Rodrigo Garcia in a heated Marshall County-Graves County district battle.