McClain Tigers fall to Miami Trace
McClain's Creed Davis (10) battles with Miami Trace's Cam Thoroman (3) at McClain Field. Also pictured for MTHS is Ian Rayburn (back). (HCP Photos/Jim Jones)
GREENFIELD — The McClain varsity boys soccer team lost to the quick and talented Miami Trace Panthers by a 5-2 score on Tuesday night at McClain Field.
At halftime the Tigers trialed by one goal at 2-1, and could have tied the score, but a late penalty kick with 3:54 remaining on the first half clock sailed over the top of the goal.
Senior Brynnen Baabs got the scoring started with a penalty kick goal at the 29:14 mark of the opening half for a 1-0 McClain lead.
Miami Trace answered moments later with a goal by Landon Burns to tie the score, and Ian Rayburn put the Panthers ahead 2-1 with 3:54 remaining with a nice shot which is how the opening half ended.
“The score should have been tied 2-2 at halftime,” McClain head coach John Gill said. “We missed out on a penalty kick opportunity that was just a little high.
“I though the first half was really competitive and even though we conceded more goals in the second half it was arguably pretty competitive too.”
The second half started quickly for Miami Trace who score two early goals to take a 4-1 lead, but McClain got an own goal at the 9:05 mark to draw to within two scores at 4-2. Burns put the game away with a successful penalty kick with just over eight minutes remaining making the final score 5-2 Panthers.
“This is kind of a rivalry game for us,” Gill said. “It always seems to be very physical and a lot of the kids on both teams know each other and have played against each other for years, so there’s the competitive factor.
“Zayne Knisley our sophomore keeper made some really big stops tonight and he actually guessed right on both of their made penalty kicks, but just couldn’t get there.
“We changed our shape about three games ago and now we play with two forwards up top and that’s just to alleviate pressure, it seems to be working because we’re scoring goals.
“I really liked our intensity tonight. We kept battling all night and I liked that and I thought it was an entertaining game.”
McClain next will host Hillsboro Thursday, Oct. 2 and finish the regular season with a home game (senior night) against Fairfield with both starting at 7 p.m.
