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Soccer: Mercer boys claim first win

August 29, 2007

Martin Gomez scored two first-half goals as the Mercer County boys won for the first time this season, beating Marion County 2-1 on Tuesday at Harrodsburg.

Mercer (1-4) led 2-0 at halftime and held off repeated attacks by Marion (2-3) in the second half after the Knights pulled within one goal 2 minutes into the half.

"While we played better in the first half, I think Marion definitely got the better of us in the second half," Mercer coach Joey Holt said. "They came out the more aggresive team from the start in the second half. They definitely outshot us and controlled the possession more in the second half, and they've got some fast kids up top that really gave us some problems.

"We feel very fortunate to get a win against a quality team like that."

Holt said Marion was slowed by a couple of injuries, and he said players returning from injuries gave his team a lift at the start of the game.

"I could tell before the game that we were going to come out ready to play," Holt said. "The first half I thought we played really well. We were able to possess the ball and create some dangerous chances in our offensive third. Daarik Gray and Major Robinson played well on offense and created some good chances for us.

"And defensively we were much better organized in the first half than we were in the second. Aaron Steele really stepped up and played a great game for us at sweeper. His play in the back along with Zack Bailes and Sterling Shannon and keeper Koji Butterbaugh were really the reason we were able to hang on for the win."

Girls

Marion County 1, Mercer County 1, tie - At Harrodsburg, Mercer (1-1-2) battled back to tie Marion (3-1-1) minutes after giving up an own-goal.

Marion scored when a Mercer defender misplayed a ball she was trying to clear in the 26th minute, but Mercer tied the game in the 31st minute when Katie Goodlett tapped the ball in after Gretchen Keller headed a corner kick by Savannah Fox.

"We played well as a team and possessed the ball very well, but we're still trying to work on generating more offense," Mercer coach Stacie Herron said.

Herron said she was pleased with the way the Titans fought off several attacks by Marion late in the game.

"Brooke Williams had an outstanding game at keeper. She made some great saves," Herron said.

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