On August 15th, the Marshall County boy’s soccer program reached a milestone only four have achieved to date…their 500th win…making them the first public school to reach that mark. Coming into the season, the Marshals program record of 497-223-42 was fourth all-time in the state tied with Trinity (Louisville). As of Thursday’s win over Graves County, the Marshals have 510 wins and have moved into third on the list ahead of Trinty who currently has 506 all-time wins.
The program celebrated the milestone Thursday with former players and coaches at Colburn Stadium. Two of those players, Marshals Head Coach Donnie Heath and former head coach and current Lady Marshals assistant, Andy Pagel, have a unique perspective on the milestone having been a part of the Marshall County success as players, assistant coaches and head coaches.
Pagel was a part of the first winning season his sophomore year and in his junior season in 1987, the Marshals won their first regional title under Head Coach Stephen Son. In 1988, the Marshals advanced to the state final four and lost 1-0.
“That was the season we started getting on the radio at WCBL and spirit buses were going to the games”, Pagel said of the 1988 run. “That next year is when things took off with better field conditions and facilities.”
Pagel credits the youth soccer’s success at that time with a lot of the upsurge in excitement around the high school’s soccer program. His plan after high school was to become an engineer, but with the success of his senior season, he knew he wanted soccer to be a part of his future. Pagel went on to play four years at Kentucky Wesleyan before starting his teaching and coaching career in the Purchase area, the first former player to do so.
Heath came through the program at the pinnacle of its success in the early 2000’s, and was a member of the 2002 State Runner-up team under Head Coach Don Walker and Pagel as an assistant. Current assistant, Bryan Blevins was also a member of that team that amassed a record of 23-3-1. They lost the State Championship game to St. Xavier 3-0.
“During those years of 20 win seasons, the schedule allowed for 24 games in the regular season, now it is 21 games”, Heath said.
Like Pagel, Heath credits some of the success to the youth feeder programs Marshall County had in place many years before other areas…people who bought in early to the program’s vision and got behind soccer.
“It’s not just been a one or two-year off thing”, Heath said of the program. “What I’ve been most proud of is that even before I was a player…when you come here…you have expectations pre-set and that’s good pressure to have.”
Former players are always on the sidelines and Heath said many parents of former players still keep up with the team and come to the games, asking how things are going because they care and it’s a source of pride for a lot of people.
“We take that pretty seriously”, Heath said. “Going through all this with the 500th win, you always tell the players about things like that and sometimes they realize and sometimes they don’t, but I think this milestone helps them to realize what they are a part of.”
Both coaches said programs in Western Kentucky have risen to the occasion and are playing at a much higher level, they feel due in part to the blueprint of success set out by the Marshall County program.
“The level of competition just in our district last year was one of the most competitive I can remember”, Heath said. “The level of soccer has risen..part of that is because it’s more popular…but another part is guys that played in our area are now becoming coaches. They see the need for youth programs which we are seeing the benefits from.”
At least 13 former Marshall County players have gone on to become head coaches. Pagel and Heath agree that with all former players on the staff who know the game and know how they want to play, has proven to be successful.
“You have to look at our staffs…we have complete staffs”, Pagel said. “It ‘s better to be an assistant coach here than a head coach a lot of places. Head coaches like myself and Coach Heath, feel you are guardians of the program. We can all say, “here’s where this tradition came from”, and chances are one of us was here when that tradition began.”
Last season the Marshals finished 19-4-1, the fourth best record in the state in 2018 and many former players and teams still hold numerous state records.
“Being a player, an assistant and now head coach…for us to get back to where we want to be…where we should be, it’s very exciting for us and we hope to keep it going”, Heath said. “It was a special year last year and I’m glad that all these guys that are back were a part of that so they can see how things are supposed to be done.”
Heath added, it’s the small things that have been going on for a while with the program that have proven to be a part of something special and successful. Marshall County also gained recognition from successful programs in the central and eastern regions of the state by traveling to play the top-ranked teams, which in turn gained respect for the program – those teams now traveling to Western Kentucky to play.
“We’re really proud of it and I know the players are too”, Heath said. “We’re fortunate for that on both the boys and girls side.”
Both the Marshals and Lady Marshals celebrated Alumni Night Thursday and former Marshals received shirts that commemorate the 500th program win. The program has achieved 21 District titles, 14 Regional titles, seven Elite Eight appearances, four Final Fours and one State Finalist.
