Tigers rule 2nd half in win over Lions
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD — What started off as an even game between two Highland County rivals turned into a showcase for McClain sophomore Nick Rivas, as he scored three goals for a 7-2 non-league win for the Tigers over the Fairfield Lions, Monday at McClain Field.
The McClain win puts them at 4-0 overall with wins over Lynchburg-Clay, London and Madison-Plains to start the season. Thus far in '11, MHS has scored 44 goals, as they are 2-0 in the South Central Ohio League.
"We came out flat, we were slow, missed headers and we had the shots in the first half but didn't connect," McClain coach Shawn Jackson said. "In the second half, we settled down and passed the ball like we know how."
On Monday Rivas, scored first with 28:38 left in the opening half, with the assist to Jarred White.
The Lions (1-4) tied the game at one with a goal by senior John Ball and the assist by Blake Hildebrant in the first half.
Then came the second half, and the match went in favor of the defending SCOL champion Tiger team.
"We had them tied at 1-1 at halftime. We played well in the first half, but we lost our composure in the second half," Fairfield coach Brian Ortlieb said. "In the second half, we let down a bit, but towards the end, we got things back, but it was a little to late.
"It comes down to losing our composure and breaking down on defense."
Not only did the Tigers take control, but the intensity and physicality of the match increased in the second half, though it was the Tigers who controlled the pace of the final 40 minutes.
MHS regained the lead with a goal from Rivas at the 32:25 mark of the second half, with the assist from Ben Chamblin. Rivas' goal came with some crafty moves near the net.
Senior Trey Lytle sent the ball into the top right corner of the net for a 3-1 lead with 31:24 left in the match. His goal was assisted by senior Luis Rivas.
The Rivas brothers weren't finished scoring goals with Nick Rivas adding another hat-trick to his season totals, making the score 4-1 with 13:31 on the clock.
MHS freshman Reid Garrison put the Tigers ahead by four goals with 10:43 left in the match.
Luis Rivas spun to his side, and while spinning, he kicked the ball to the back of the net for his first goal of the match with 7:36 remaining.
On a penalty kick situation, the Tigers had senior keeper Ryan Case take a chance on the offensive side … he didn't disappoint with a goal, putting the Tigers ahead by six goals with 3:31 left in the final 40 minutes.
The final goal came from the Lions with senior Austin Palmer scoring with 1:18 remaining.
Jackson talked about the 4-0 start by his team.
"This is a much better start to the season than last year (MHS lost its first two games a year ago), but we know the monkey is on our back," Jackson said. "The guys are up for the challenge, and we keep telling them to take it one game at a time.
"We want settle down, play our game and make our opponents play our style … when we don't play up to our potential, that's when we get beat."
McClain will face cross-county and SCOL rival Hillsboro with the early league lead on the line this Thursday at McClain Field. Hillsboro also has two league wins, defeating Miami Trace and Washington. The Indians are 3-1 overall, as the Indians face Clinton-Massie on Tuesday in a league game at CMHS.
"This will be a early rivalry game for us," Jackson said. "This is a game where either one of us can leave with the league lead. We have a couple days to prepare for them, and we will be ready to play our game."
BOX SCORE
FHS 1 1 — 2
MHS 1 6 — 7[[In-content Ad]]
The McClain win puts them at 4-0 overall with wins over Lynchburg-Clay, London and Madison-Plains to start the season. Thus far in '11, MHS has scored 44 goals, as they are 2-0 in the South Central Ohio League.
"We came out flat, we were slow, missed headers and we had the shots in the first half but didn't connect," McClain coach Shawn Jackson said. "In the second half, we settled down and passed the ball like we know how."
On Monday Rivas, scored first with 28:38 left in the opening half, with the assist to Jarred White.
The Lions (1-4) tied the game at one with a goal by senior John Ball and the assist by Blake Hildebrant in the first half.
Then came the second half, and the match went in favor of the defending SCOL champion Tiger team.
"We had them tied at 1-1 at halftime. We played well in the first half, but we lost our composure in the second half," Fairfield coach Brian Ortlieb said. "In the second half, we let down a bit, but towards the end, we got things back, but it was a little to late.
"It comes down to losing our composure and breaking down on defense."
Not only did the Tigers take control, but the intensity and physicality of the match increased in the second half, though it was the Tigers who controlled the pace of the final 40 minutes.
MHS regained the lead with a goal from Rivas at the 32:25 mark of the second half, with the assist from Ben Chamblin. Rivas' goal came with some crafty moves near the net.
Senior Trey Lytle sent the ball into the top right corner of the net for a 3-1 lead with 31:24 left in the match. His goal was assisted by senior Luis Rivas.
The Rivas brothers weren't finished scoring goals with Nick Rivas adding another hat-trick to his season totals, making the score 4-1 with 13:31 on the clock.
MHS freshman Reid Garrison put the Tigers ahead by four goals with 10:43 left in the match.
Luis Rivas spun to his side, and while spinning, he kicked the ball to the back of the net for his first goal of the match with 7:36 remaining.
On a penalty kick situation, the Tigers had senior keeper Ryan Case take a chance on the offensive side … he didn't disappoint with a goal, putting the Tigers ahead by six goals with 3:31 left in the final 40 minutes.
The final goal came from the Lions with senior Austin Palmer scoring with 1:18 remaining.
Jackson talked about the 4-0 start by his team.
"This is a much better start to the season than last year (MHS lost its first two games a year ago), but we know the monkey is on our back," Jackson said. "The guys are up for the challenge, and we keep telling them to take it one game at a time.
"We want settle down, play our game and make our opponents play our style … when we don't play up to our potential, that's when we get beat."
McClain will face cross-county and SCOL rival Hillsboro with the early league lead on the line this Thursday at McClain Field. Hillsboro also has two league wins, defeating Miami Trace and Washington. The Indians are 3-1 overall, as the Indians face Clinton-Massie on Tuesday in a league game at CMHS.
"This will be a early rivalry game for us," Jackson said. "This is a game where either one of us can leave with the league lead. We have a couple days to prepare for them, and we will be ready to play our game."
BOX SCORE
FHS 1 1 — 2
MHS 1 6 — 7[[In-content Ad]]