Marshall County goalkeeper Steven Claborn has been itching to score a goal for the Marshals his senior season and has been inserted late into a couple games after his keeper duties had the games secured.
Thursday with the district tournament’s top seed on the line at Calloway County, Claborn stepped up and booted the final penalty kick into the net for the win. Even though it’s not counted as a regular goal for Claborn since it was a PK, it was a thrilling finish that gave the Marshals a 4-3 win after double overtime and a 4-3 advantage in PK’s.
The Marshals lost 2-1 to Calloway County back on August 17 and the Lakers 3-1 lead at halftime was not playing into the nights plan. First half goals for Calloway County came from Oscar Avila, Jude Bazzell and Antonio Arnone. The Marshals got on the board on a goal by Logan Parker.
Out of the halftime break, the Marshals put two early goals on the board to tie the game at 3-3. Goals were scored by Colton Snyder and Parker. The 3-3 tie held up until the final whistle to send the game into overtime.
A golden goal gets the win, but a scoreless first overtime sent the game into the second overtime period. In the final moments, Calloway County got a shot off that looked to be heading into the net if not for a great play by Tommy Robertson to clear the ball out as time ran out.
Five rounds of penalty kicks began with Calloway County’s Bo Stom getting the Lakers first one in. Hayden McMillian up first for the Marshals kicked it over the top of the goal and the Lakers led 1-0. Avila up second for Calloway County made good on his PK followed by Tommy Robertson who gave the Marshals their first point.
Down 2-1 going into the third round of kicks, Claborn saved the kick of Zak Stark and the Marshals answered with a point from Parker. Another great save by Claborn on the kick of Arnone gave the Marshals an opportunity to tie it up which they did on the kick by Lincoln Colburn.
In the fifth round, Ethan Carson found the net for Calloway County which left it all up to Claborn who converted the game-winning PK.
Claborn recorded five saves in the win.
The Marshals are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Warren Central then finish up the regular season on Tuesday at University Heights.
