By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

In the second week of the Morgan County High School 2013 soccer season, both the girls’ and boys’ team found themselves playing games on back-to-back days, an uncommon occurrence in a soccer schedule.

Last Friday, both teams faced and lost to Monroe Area High School; the girls lost 0-3 and the boys fell behind late in the game to lose 0-1. The next day, the teams traveled back to Lamar County for the second round of the Trojan Cup tournament. The boys lost a 4-5 overtime match against the Fayette County Tigers, but the girls beat the Tigers 4-2. The girls’ victory moves them on to the championship game against Upson Lee this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Lamar County.

Despite the 0-3 loss to Monroe last Friday, Jessica Ward, head coach of the girls’ team, is proud of the team’s commitment to finishing the game strongly.
“In the Monroe game, the girls played very tough and hard,” began Coach Ward. “We had several shots on goal, they just did not go in the net for us. I am happy with their effort – no matter what the score they never gave up trying and played hard until the final whistle.”
The girls’ 4-2 victory over 4A Fayette County proves that the loss to Monroe is not indicative of the team’s level of skill.

Holly Peppers scored against Fayette County in the first half of the game, but the Tigers were able to tie it up 1-1 before the end of the first period.
The Lady Dogs moved well ahead of the Tigers after the half; Susanna Peppers scored twice and Anslyn Stamps once for Morgan County.

“In the second half my girls really stepped it up and played some great soccer,” said Ward. “Our passing, communicating, and ball movement were outstanding.”

The boys’ team suffered a close 0-1 loss against a very physically demanding Monroe Area team last Friday.

“Monroe Area has skill, and they are a very physical team,” stated boys’ head coach Brandon York. “We held them at 0-0 until the 75th minute – high school matches go 80 minutes.”

“My keeper, Matt Cantero, earned his stripes Friday at Monroe,” continued York. “Matt ended sustaining some injuries that might have hampered any number of players, but he would not tap out.”

Morgan County held onto a 2-2 tie through regulation time against Fayette County at the Trojan Cup, but lost 4-5 in an overtime penalty shoot-out, the established tiebreaking method as per tournament regulations.

York does not have a good opinion of this tiebreaking method, claiming that, “deciding a match with a penalty kick shoot-out is like settling the Lincoln-Douglas debates with a belching contest. It’s insane pressure to both kick and defend kicks.”

The last round of the Trojan Cup takes place this week. The girls’ team will be competing in the championship game against Upson Lee at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Lamar County, and the boys will be competing for third place against Northside-Warner Robbins at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Lamar County.

Printed in the February 21, 2013 edition