Coming off a three-game losing skid, the McCracken County Mustangs got themselves back on track with an emphatic win at Graves County this past Thursday night, overwhelming the Eagles on their way to an 8-2 victory.
“This was a good win for us, and we ended up with a lot of different guys on the scoresheet, which is always great to see,” said McCracken County head coach Michael Wiersema, on a night where seven different Mustangs picked up a goal. “We had a tough weekend in St. Louis, but those were some really great teams we played against, and I thought our pace of play really improved from those games and it showed tonight.”
A fast start would get the Mustangs up and running, as early offensive pressure kept the Eagle defense on their heels across the first moments of action. With their dominant share of the early possession came the opening goal with just under 10 minutes gone, as Kaden McKenzie would find the back of the net to put McCracken on the board.
Not too long after the opener, Ethan Miller would make his first varsity minutes count, producing the highlight of the evening after just 15 minutes of play. Collecting the ball towards the edge of the box, the freshman beat his defender and fired a shot off the crossbar and in, doubling the Mustangs’ advantage.
“I was pretty nervous getting out there for the first time, but I settled in a little bit, found my way out there, and just took my shot,” said Miller, recounting his debut goal. “It was wide open and I took it. I was kind of getting crushed in the celebration, but it was a great feeling, and I’m excited to play some more with these guys.”
Down the stretch in the first half, while the Eagles would pull one back through Shane Turner, a brace for William O’Neill would help the Mustangs along to a 4-1 halftime advantage.
While another goal would fall for the Eagles in the second half thanks to a long-range strike for Edgar Larios, the intense press of the Mustangs would prove to be too much for them through the final forty minutes. Once Landen Driver converted from the penalty spot not too long into the half, goals from Maks Hazel, Joseph Rodriguez and Clayton Baxter would follow for the visitors, as they cruised to the 8-2 final score.
“I thought we moved the ball well, played unselfish soccer and created some great chances,” Wiersema said. “We still have a lot to work on before the postseason, but we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”
Now back in the win column, the Mustangs will spend four days on the shelf before their next outing, as they head straight back out on the road this Saturday afternoon to meet the Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons.