Tigers are SCOL champions
GREENFIELD - The championship reign of the McClain Tigers has arrived.
The victory bell could be heard throughout the city of Greenfield Thursday night, after the McClain Tiger boys soccer team made school history in winning their first-ever South Central Ohio League soccer championship, as they defeated the London Red Raiders 5-0 at McClain Field.
The win gives the Tigers an SCOL record of 10-2, with an overall mark of 12-2-1.
“These kids played with heart,” an emotional Shawn Jackson said. “I am tickled to death for them. This was a long time coming. I wanted this for the kids, the community and for the school. I wish my mom was here to see this team. She loved McClain soccer.”
Entering the game, the Tigers knew they held their own fate in their hands as they needed the win over London to clinch the outright SCOL championship.
The score was at a stand still for most of the first half, but McClain had a big burst of scoring in the final 6:35 with Sam Henry scoring the first goal, with a header, off a corner kick from Luis Rivas.
Henry wasn’t finished with his scoring for the night as he bounced a penalty kick off the bar of the goal, allowing the ball to fly past a diving London keeper for the 2-0 advantage with 2:55 left in the opening 40 minutes.
The Tigers continued to add to the overall lead with Rivas netting a goal, leaving 1:52 remaining in the opening half, as he kicked the ball from nearly 20 yards out for the goal.
“Luis (Rivas) and (Sam) Henry came to play,” Jackson said. “In fact, the entire team came to play, but Sam was relentless (Thursday). He was fouled a lot, but kept his cool and played tough.”
The Tigers weren’t finished adding to the McClain lead, sealing the championship in the second half with two more goals.
Daniel White netted a goal with 30:23 left in the contest, as Henry passed the ball to an open White, who blasted the ball into the back of the net for the four-goal lead. White was also credited with assists in the game.
Henry gained the rare hat-trick with his third goal at the 13:02 mark of the final half. After scoring the goal Henry raised his arm in the air with three fingers displaying his three goals scored.
But Thursday was about the Tigers keeping the SCOL title in Highland County, as the Hillsboro Indians were the previous league champions for four years.
“(Thursday) we finally showed after six years we can play with teams in this league,” Jackson said. “It took us a little while longer than what we would have liked, but we are here now. We knew what we needed to do, and we came out and did it.”
Senior keeper Matt Shonkwiler was unable to play in the game due to injury, but Jackson said if it wasn’t for the four years he put in with the varsity team, the program wouldn't have the success they earned this season.
“Without Matt we would have never made it to this point,” Jackson said. “His cousin (Ryan Case) was able to take is place at keeper for the rest of the season, and did a nice job."
Jackson also talked about the production by senior Nick McNeal as a four year varsity starter.
“Nick (McNeal) was relentless up the middle for us (Thursday),” he said. “Nick does a lot of good work for us, and keeps going and going. Like Matt, without Nick playing all four years, we wouldn’t be here.”
With the regular season wrapped up the Tigers are now focused on postseason play, as they will host a SE District Division II Sectional game Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at McClain Field, against the Washington Blue Lions.
SCORE BY HALF
LHS- 0 0 – 0
MHS- 3 2 – 5
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