Marshall County hosted McCracken County for a First Region chamionship rematch on Thursday night. What came down to penalty kicks last season with the Mustangs claiming the title, turned into a similarly close 1-1 draw on Thursday.
Both teams entered the contest with uncharacteristically rocky starts with the Marshals sitting on a 4-3 record and a 2-3-2 record for the Mustangs.
Scoring came right off the bat in the first five minutes of play and went quiet until the last two minutes.
The Marshals got on the board first as senior Isaac Reynolds let one fly from 20 yards out. Staying low and nearly hitting the left goalpost, the ball slid just out of reach of McCracken’s keeper. Sinking that first goal brought added energy and momentum for the Marshals as the game progressed.
While scoring went quiet for the majority of the game, it wasn’t without trying. Both teams battled back-and-forth for possession, with Marshall holding the slight time advantage over McCracken. The home team continued to first off shots early in the first but to no avail.
Heading into the second and with time ticking away the physicality increased as Marshall looked to add to the margin and McCracken looked to stay alive. Multiple shots both ways would come out wide or be deflected including a few free kicks and risky corners that bounced around the box.
Ultimately, with 1:39 left to play, McCracken County’s Dexter Pacheco sank the tying goal in similar fashion to how Marshall started it. From just inside the box, Pacheco took a shot dead on, keeping it low and just outside of reach without hitting the post.
With an even heightened sense of urgency, play continued, but would ultimately stay in the 1-1 draw.
This was the only meeting set between the Mustangs and the Marshals this season, so any rematch will have to wait until region tournament play. Before that though, Marshall will return to district action as they take on Murray on the road on September 5 while takes on a district opponent of their own in St. Mary on September 3.