Owensboro had just enough to get past a stiff defensive effort from Ohio County in their 3rd Region boys’ soccer semifinal Tuesday, while the nightcap between Daviess County and Muhlenberg County was suspended due to lightning.
The Red Devils were able to score off a set piece in the first half, but that’s all they got in a 1-0 victory that sent them to their sixth consecutive 3rd Region championship game, set for 7 p.m. Thursday.
The Panthers managed to build a 2-0 lead over the Mustangs, though the game was suspended with 10:55 still to play in the first half. They’ll resume action at Owensboro Catholic’s Independence Field at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
OWENSBORO 1, OHIO COUNTY 0
The Eagles (14-7-2) hardly focused on scoring a goal of their own, largely trying to stymie the powerful Red Devil (17-5-2) offense. For the most part it worked, and Owensboro’s only goal came after a free kick from 25 yards out.
After Kevin Payne was fouled just outside the box, Andrew Saltsman smashed a free kick at the Ohio County keeper. When the ball bounced away, Josh Head was there to clean up the play and tap in the game’s only goal in the 18th minute.
“You have to get it wide, and we struggled with that a little bit,” Saltsman said. “It was a little annoying, I’m not going to lie. I’m glad we put that one in early. Otherwise it probably would have been down to the wire.”
OHS head coach Ryan Haley echoed those frustrations, saying it was tough to break through since Ohio County was dropping basically their entire team.
“It was frustrating and agitating, but it was a very good strategy,” he said. “They looked like someone who was put in a corner and that’s what they were, and they played excellent. Every single player they had was behind the ball most of the time. They weren’t even looking to play to a striker.”
It’s difficult to run their normal offense when facing extra defenders, Haley said.
“We attempted to stretch them out wide, and every time they brought two guys, and even a third, it was really difficult to work around the corners,” he said. “We didn’t look outside enough, we weren’t patient enough.”
Haley said it wasn’t the efficient game he’s looking for at this point in the season, but he’s glad the defense held tough and helped pull out the win.
“We did a much better job in the first half than we did in the second,” he said. “It wasn’t pretty by any means and it’s not what you want at this point in the season. The important thing is our defense held strong and we didn’t allow them to get off many shots.”
DAVIESS COUNTY 2, MUHLENBERG COUNTY 0 (SUSPENDED)
With a steady string of lightning entering the area and heavy rain soon to set in, play was halted for the night late in the first half.
Daviess County still had enough time to take an early advantage, scoring a pair of goals inside the box.
The Panthers’ first good look came in the eighth minute, but Hunter Clark’s penalty kick was wide right. He made up for it later, booting in a shot from 15 yards out for a 1-0 lead with 28:06 left in the half.
Twelve minutes later, Clark sent a corner kick into a crowded box, where Jacob Boling was able to collect and finish for a 2-0 advantage.
Soon after, officials decided to suspend the game and resume Wednesday.
“There’s lightning in the area and they’re making the right call,” said Daviess County head coach Doug Sandifer. “It’s frustrating when it hasn’t rained a drop, but we’ve all gone through it.”
With the championship set for Thursday, that leaves no day of rest for the winner. Sandifer said if his team can hold on for the win, they’ll just have to make the most of the situation.
“We get no day off before the region final, no preparation,” he said. “But, we’ve only got 50 minutes to play and we’re up 2-0. We’ve got to come back and do a little bit better tomorrow and clean up some things.”
Stay up to date on all your local sports coverage by following @OwensboroSports on Twitter and by liking us on Facebook.
__________
2019 soccer coverage is presented by Worth Insurance Group.
