Soccer Knights drop final three games

During the week of fall break, the Marion County Knights soccer team played in three games, two at home and one on the road. The team came up short in each of the three contests to finish the regular season with an overall record of 11-9-0.
The Knights traveled to take on Bethlehem Tuesday of last week, and were defeated by a final score of 4-0. The game was very intense, according to Head Coach Greg Conley. Bethlehem was hosting their senior night activities at the game.
"We had several good opportunities to score in the first 20 minutes as the action went back and forth," Conley said. "However, they managed a goal to put them ahead 1-0 at the half."
In the second half, the team came out aggressive, but could not get on the scoreboard. Bethlehem was able to take advantage of a defensive mistake and net its second goal. The Eagles added a pair of late goals to finish the game off with a final score of 4-0.
Thursday, the Knights hosted North Hardin.
"This was as physical as any match we have played all year long," Conley said.  "North Hardin came to play and struck early and often and took a quick 4-0 lead into the half."
The Knights came out in the second half and were able to punch in a goal by Dylan Spalding, but could find no more offense. The Trojans added a late goal to make the final score 5-1.  
Coach Conley noted that the Knights had three players get hurt during the final 10 minutes of the game due to what he called "a game the officials did not have proper control of." After the third player got hurt, Coach Conley received a yellow card for telling the official that the game was out of control.
"I was issued a second yellow card, making it a red card, with just about two minutes left in the game during the same exchange," Conley said. "I'm sorry, but if I feel like my players are going to get hurt because things aren't being called and carded as needed, then I am going to stand up for them, period."
Coach Conley was unable to coach in the final game of the regular season Saturday, and the assistant coach led the team.
"We decided before the game to give some less experienced players some valuable playing time against a good opponent," Conley said.  
The Knights remained in the game at the half, only trailing 2-0. In the second half, the Bulldogs added three goals as the inexperience of the Knights showed.  The Knights would fall in the final regular season contest 5-0.      
The Knights received a bye in the first round of the district tournament as they were the No. 1 seed, and played last night in the second round against the winner of the Hart County/Taylor County game. Results were unknown at press time. If the Knights won, they would advance to the finals of the district tournament tomorrow night at 8 p.m.

Jessica Veatch

Junior Trevor Hood battles with a John Hardin defender in the game Saturday night at home.

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Jessica Veatch

Junior Dylan Spalding battles a John Hardin defender for the soccer ball in the game Saturday night at home. The Knights lost 5-0.

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