Two tough losses this week began on Tuesday when the Marshals lost 2-0 to Murray followed by a 4-0 loss to McCracken County on Thursday. They will have a short turnaround to prepare for another top team in Madisonville-North Hopkins in Madisonville on Saturday.
At McCracken County, both of the Mustangs first half goals came in the final 10 minutes of the half, the first a penalty kick taken by Josh Kuntz and the second goal was scored by Jack Housman. Less than 10 minutes into the game, Jerricho Evans had a direct kick that was saved by McCracken keeper Grayson Parish and at the end of the half, Evans had another direct kick opportunity, saved again by Parish.
Kuntz scored his second goal under 20 minutes into the second half for a 3-0 McCracken County lead and he earned the hat trick with his third goal to put the Mustangs up 4-0 which would be the final score.
The Marshals had four shots, two on goal and Steven Claborn had six saves. The Mustangs took 12 shots, 10 on goal and had two saves. Both teams leave the game with a record of 4-2.
Marshall County leads the all-time series against McCracken County 8-5-2. Last season the Marshals beat the Mustangs 4-0 during the regular season but the tables were turned in the region championship game when the Mustangs won 2-1 in penalty kicks.
Over the last four years, Marshall County’s boys have won seven straight over Murray High but that streak ended on Tuesday when the Tigers won 2-0, handing the Marshals their first loss of the season.
The score was 0-0 at halftime and in the second half, the Marshals had an opportunity on a direct kick by Jericho Evans that was saved by the Murray keeper. Still scoreless with under four minutes to go, Murray’s Max Rosa scored on a header after an initial save by Steven Claborn bounced back out in the direction of the sophomore forward.
Gavin Harris sealed the win for the Tigers with an under two-minute goal for the 2-0 district win. Murray keepers Pierson Kerrick and Hank Fronza combined for six saves and Claborn had five for the Marshals. Murray now takes a slight upper hand in the district at 2-0 with an overall record of 5-0. The Marshals are 3-1 in district play.
In the first game of Tuesday’s varsity double header. The Lady Marshals won 2-1. Anna Robertson scored the first goal of the game early in the second half. Murray tied it 1-1 and with four minutes remaining, Kelsey Crass scored the winning goal off a corner kick by Zoe Maxlow. The Lady Marshals improve to 6-0.
