Tigers defeat rival Hillsboro
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD - McClain's Luis Rivas put on a show for everyone in attendance Thursday at McClain Field. Rivas put on a performance that was not only dominating, but he did it against a county rival in a South Central Ohio League game, with the McClain Tigers defeating the Hillsboro Indians, 4-1.
The win puts MHS at 2-2 overall, rebounding after dropping their first two games of the year to reach the .500 mark. In SCOL play, MHS is 2-0.
"Offensively, we went to the ball, and we did what we needed to do," MHS coach Shawn Jackson said. "We used our speed, and we had a lot of good shots at the goal. I'm proud of what we have."
All four Tiger goals came from Rivas, and his performance was noticed by not only the McClain faithful, but by HHS coach John Weber.
"Hats off to McClain," he said. "All I can say is those were some beautiful shots by (Luis) Rivas."
Rivas, a junior, scored three goals in the first 40 minutes to gain the hat-trick. Rivas' goals in the first half were assisted by Daniel White, Sam Henry and Trey Lytle.
His fourth and final goal came with 25:16 left in the game as he maneuvered past the Hillsboro defense, starting nearly 40 yards away with the ball and kicking it from around the 18-yard box into the back of the net.
But the MHS play also was solid from the defensive side, with keeper Ryan Case making spectacular stops in front of the McClain goal.
One was a diving stop with 36:50 left in the final half, and two others stood out around the 33:30 mark and 31:20 mark.
Later in the second half, Case had two more athletic plays in front of the goal with 15:06 and 10:32 left on the scoreboard.
"Ryan was on the ball (Thursday)," Jackson said. "He made saves tonight that I haven't seen him make all season."
Hillsboro managed to put one shot past Case, coming at the 7:11 mark of the final half with sophomore Colin Rothwell putting the ball into the back of the net. The goal was assisted by Brandon Wilson, who kicked the ball with his left foot.
"We started out the game great," Weber said. "We were passing that ball well, but as the game went on, we had several mental lapses.
"What hurt us was the first goal McClain scored. That goal deflated us, but for the majority of the game we passed well, we just didn't close down on defense."
Near the 26:55 mark of the second 40 minute period HHS junior Colton Wertsbaugh made a sliding stop, taking the ball away from the Tigers as they were threading near the HHS side of the field.
HHS junior Corey Walker had a one-handed diving stop with 4:17 on the clock in half number two. Walker made another athletic save with a jumping stop around the 8:00 mark of the same half.
"Hillsboro is a tough team," Jackson said. "We have to play them again, and they will be ready to play. The league is still wide-open and nobody can be taken lightly."
MHS has managed to put their first two losses behind them as they are starting to figure out who they are as a team.
"During that time, we didn't get down. The team stayed up, and we didn't let things get to us. We recovered, but we are still not at the top of our game. We've played harder and we are more consistent.
"Credit Hillsboro, they are working hard and improving. We've been where they are at with a younger team. We had years where we were young and couldn't win, every team has that sometimes."
Weber said his team will keep learning as they keep gaining experience.
"We are having simple breakdowns with our younger players, but we are still learning to play at this level," Weber said. "The team is growing together and becoming more familiar with each other. Once we can put all phases of the game together, we will be fine."
The loss drops HHS to 1-3-1 overall. HHS will play Saturday night as they host the Wilmington Hurricane at 7 p.m. at Richards Memorial Field.
MHS will host the London Red Raiders Tuesday, Sept. 7 at McClain Field at 7 p.m.
SCORE BY HALF
HHS 0 1 -- 1
MHS 3 1 -- 4
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