In a game where the Eagle’s dominated possession, Apollo was able to experiment with different lineups and schemes en route to a 3-0 home win over Grayson County.
Apollo head coach Ryan Poirier said he was more concerned about getting better than scoring goals.
“We’ve been working on a few different things as far as positions and different runs,” he said. “We tried some of that out, and it’s a work in progress. I was trying to get some kids in that don’t usually get in. I wasn’t too worried about whether we scored three goals or 10. Let’s get everybody in and get some more experience and work on some stuff that will hopefully help us later in the year.”
The Eagles (4-2-1) finished with 25 shots — 18 on goal — and all their scores came from players on the outside of the field, something Poirier was happy about.
“All our wings scored today,” he said. “We’ve worked on that, our wings coming in. I would like to have multiple people score. I think we’re very dangerous if we can get the ball wide.”
The first goal came 4 minutes in, when Yanuyo Ton scored off an assist from Jacob Gillim. Apollo scored again in the 26th minute when Yo Shi Ya put one in off a penalty kick — set up by a handball by Grayson County in the box. The final goal came off a corner kick 10 minutes into the second half when Gillim got another assist, this time to his brother Justin.
After a handful of close contests, Poirier was glad the Eagles had a game without as much pressure.
“We needed a game where we could pass it around a little bit, keep the ball, get our heads up a little bit and find some people,” he said. “We’ve played really good teams, and we’ve played close games. Even though we’ve had great opportunities to score in those games, we’re not taking them. Tonight, we got to keep the ball a little more.”
It comes just in time for Apollo to head back into another tough battle. They have a 7 p.m. Thursday meeting with undefeated Daviess County (6-0) for an important District 9 match.
DAVIESS COUNTY 6, BOWLING GREEN 1
The Panthers (6-0) remained undefeated with a win on the road. Brian Winkler and Hunter Clark led the team with two goals each. Carlos Diaz and Jacob Boling each added one score. Michael Haynes, Tylen Terry and Maxten Miller all had one assist. Kaya Suzer and Kylen Clater combined for 6 saves.
Daviess County will play again at 7 p.m. Thursday at Apollo (4-2-1).
OWENSBORO 6, LOGAN COUNTY 1
The Red Devils (3-2-1) were victorious in their first road game of the year. Grayson McFarland scored a pair of first-half goals, and he added two assists by setting up Austin Sovar for a couple of scores in the second half. Tee Wah (unassisted) and Paxton Jenkins (Sovar assist) each scored in the first half. The team finished with 24 shots, 15 of those on goal.
Owensboro plays at 7 p.m. Thursday at Owensboro Catholic (1-4).
