DRAFFENVILLE – Thursday’s Marshall County – Graves County boy’s soccer game was nothing like the first meeting of the two 2nd District teams when the Eagles handed the Marshals an 8-1 loss.
“This week in practice, heavy emphasis on toughness heading the ball, winning the 50/50 balls”, Head Coach Andy Pagel said.
In a great first half for the Marshals, Dawson Jolley put them on the board four minutes into the game drawing the goalkeeper out and getting around him for the open shot.
Drake Anderson scored the Marshals second goal on an assist from Cameron Ives with 4:25 left in the half for a 2-0 lead over the Eagles.
Coach Pagel was happy with his team’s straight up play against the Eagles, coming out in the first half playing them man for man.
One minute into the second half, Graves County’s Brady Wetherington put the Eagles on the board with a game tying goal coming at 26:27 by Rodrigo Garcia.
Another good look by Garcia two minutes later popped up off the top post, only to drop back down and get punched in by Alex Arellano to take a 3-2 lead.
A well-played final 15 minutes by the Marshals saw a couple of good looks at goals by Jolley and Austin Stockdale but the Marshals weren’t able to find the back of the net.
“We’ve got to go for the jugular”, Pagel said. “When you’re up 2-0, you’ve got to keep them out of the net. They found separation and were able to hold us off. They’re strong going right to left and out-manned us and finished very nicely.”
Ten fouls were called on the Marshals in the game, seven on Graves County with three yellow cards on Garcia, Jolley and Anderson.
The Marshals had 19 shots, 9 on goal compared to 9 shots by the Eagles, 4 of those on goal.
The Calvert City Insurance/Heritage Bank Big Orange Classic will be held Saturday at Colburn Stadium. Marshall County will open the day at 10:00 am against Owensboro. That game will be followed by Tates Creek vs. Graves County at 12:00.
At 3:30, the JV Marshals will play a to be determined opponent, Graves County and Owensboro play at 5:30 and the day is concluded with the Marshals playing Tates Creek at 7:30.
Click on the photos to view larger image.
