Regulation time wasn’t enough to decide who gets to play for the Region 1 title on Tuesday at Murray High. Marshall County took undefeated McCracken County to penalty kicks where the Lady Tigers won in the fifth round 5-4 to win the semi-final 2-1 and advance to play for the title against Murray. Murray cruised to a spot in the championship game in the first semi-final of the night when they beat Paducah Tilghman 12-0.
The Lady Marshals impressive run of six straight Region 1 titles came to an end on Tuesday and 10 seniors played their final game.
“What I hate more is that I won’t get to see them together tomorrow”, Head Coach Michael Boone said in post-game comments to WCBL’s Caleb King. “For those 10, that’s the last time I’ll be able to coach them.”
The Lady Marshals struck first with thirteen minutes left in the first half. Chaney Green got past McCracken County goalkeeper Addison Smith and her shot into the net gave them a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Mustangs tied it up with seven minutes remaining in the half on a goal by Audrey Estes and the 1-1 tie held up until the end of regulation. Zoe Maxlow got off a nice shot on goal with a minute left in the game and a great save by Marshall County goalkeeper Phoebe Ramsey near the end of regulation held off a possible go-ahead goal for McCracken County.
Two five-minute overtime periods followed and after a scoreless 10 minutes, the game went to PK’s.
Macy Scott, Presley Gallimore, Amelia Boone and Lauren Noles successfully converted the first four PK’s for the Lady Marshals. Makenzie Burgett, Payton Ledgerwood, Audrey Estes and Maddy Ledgerwood all equaled those PK’s for the Lady Mustangs and it was 4-4 going into the final round.
Zoe Maxlow sent her PK just wide left in the fifth round and it was up to Ramsey who faced Ava Englert. Ramsey made contact with the ball but the momentum sent it sailing into the net.
The group of 10 seniors holds a special place in the heart of Coach Michael Boone as his daughter and team captain, Amelia, also played her final game for the Lady Marshals.
“That group of 10 have done a phenomenal job of keeping this team together”, Boone said. They’ve brought me so much joy. I’ve been blessed to be a part of this specific team and certainly the 10 seniors for 12 plus years.”
The Lady Marshals finish with a record of 15-6-2. McCracken County extends their record to 20-0-2 and on Thursday against Murray, will be looking to win their first region title in the program’s 10-year history.
