McCracken County’s and Calloway County’s boys soccer teams squared off in each of the squads’ opening day on Tuesday night, and the reigning First Region champions started their year off with a 5-0 shutout win over the Lakers. Head coach Michael Wiersema said the squad looked good for the first regular season outing, and praised the way they passed the ball throughout.
“At times we moved the ball well,” Wiersema said following the win. “We didn’t finish very well, but we moved the ball well. Overall I was pleased with our defense and our goalkeeping. Our midfield is pretty good when they use each other. Our front three is good, so they all had chances to shine tonight.”
McCracken’s first goal of their 2026 campaign came off a Mendoza to Mendoza connection, where Johnny launched a ball off a throw in to an awaiting Aiden, who had enough space to spear kick the ball past the goalie and into the back of the net in just the 11th minute of the game.
McCracken’s first goal of their 2026 campaign came off a Mendoza to Mendoza connection, where Johnny launched a ball off a throw in to an awaiting Aiden, who had enough space to spear kick the ball past the goalie and into the back of the net in just the 11th minute of the game.
Agressiveness and pressing the ball were two aspects Coach Wiersema believes the team did better in tonight than in their previous scrimmages against some highly ranked opponents. The Mustangs took on St. Xavier and South Warren, two state title contenders, in the preseason, where they were unable to truly be the aggressors. Tonight told a different story, as the possession time heavily leaned in McCracken’s favor.
“We had press a little bit more tonight,” Coach Wiersema said. “When you’re playing St. X and South Warren you can’t really press. Tonight we were able to press, and I thought we did a pretty good job of that in the first half.”
McCracken hopes to ride the momentum of their first win into this weekend, when they travel towards the eastern part of the state with a Friday matchup against Bryan Station followed by Saturday’s game at Tates Creek. Calloway will travel to face Graves County on Thursday, before hosting Owensboro on Saturday in their home opener.