Panthers top Tigers; MHS can win SCOL Thursday

     GREENFIELD – It was Senior Night at McClain High School Tuesday night, but the Miami Trace Panthers stormed in and crashed the Tigers’ celebration, as things became more interesting in the South Central Ohio League, with the Panthers defeating the Tigers 4-2 at McClain Field.

     Even with the loss, the Tigers control their own destiny, with one SCOL game remaining on the schedule. If the Tigers win Thursday, in their makeup game against London, MHS will be outright league champions. If the Tigers tie with the Red Raiders then they will be co-champs with Miami Trace. If MHS stumbles in their final regular season game, then the title will go to Miami Trace as they are done with league play at 9-2-1.

     In league play the Tigers are currently 9-2, with only their date with the Red Raiders remaining on their regular season schedule. The other SCOL loss of the Tigers was against the Madison-Plains Golden Eagles early in the season.

      “I’m not disappointed with the loss,” McClain coach Shawn Jackson said. “The way I see its God’s way of saying we can wait until Thursday to win the SCOL title.

     “Miami Trace is always tough and we control if we are going to be league champions. We are going to come and practice hard (Wednesday), come back and play tough against London, and bring home the SCOL trophy.”

     The score was 2-1 after the first half with Miami Trace’s Brian Hook scoring the first goal of the game. One of Hook’s goals was assisted by Zach Hoppes.

     McClain’s Daniel White tied the game at 1-1, but Hook gained another goal for MT, giving the Panthers a 2-1 advantage.

     In the second half, Miami Trace added to their lead at 3-1 with a direct kick by Jake Morrison with 18:06 left in the game.

     McClain’s Luis Rivas brought the Tigers within one goal at the 8:27 mark of the second half with a header near the net.

     The Panthers put MHS down two goals with 2:34 left in the game when Craig Woodrow made the score 4-2 with a goal.

     “I am very pleased with how we played,” Miami Trace coach John Huston said. “We had a freshman at goalie (Ian Swingle) and I am very proud of the whole team. Now it’s just wait and see about the league.”

     2009 MHS seniors are: Matt Shonkwiler and Nick McNeal.

     The Red Raiders and Tigers play Thursday at McClain Field with a start time of around 7:15 p.m. in Greenfield.

SCORE BY HALF

MTHS – 2 2 – 4

MHS – 1 1 – 2