Neither team could capitalize on a small handful of opportunities, so the Owensboro boys soccer team opened the season Monday with a 0-0 tie against Henderson County.
The Red Devils maintained possession for most of the first half and came close to scoring on a pair of occasions. One goal was disallowed after an offsides penalty was called, while one attempt by Paxton Jenkins was thwarted by the flailing leg of the Colonels goalkeeper. Owensboro also had on opportunity in the second half when Grayson McFarland streaked up the left side past his defender, but his shot just missed the net.
Red Devils head coach Ryan Haley said he thinks the game will be a good learning opportunity for the team.
“Henderson did a good job defending,” he said. “We had our opportunities. The net was open a few times and we just couldn’t put it away. I think we’re going to learn from it and get better. I think Henderson was definitely an equal adversary.”
The best chance for the Colonels came when a floating shot grazed the outstretched fingertips of Owensboro goalkeeper Radley Worth, but he was able to collect the ball before it crossed the line to keep the game scoreless.
The rest of the game was largely each team pushing the ball deep into enemy territory, only to lose possession and head back the other way.
“I thought it was a back and forth game,” Haley said. “We knew they were going to be physical, and we planned and prepared for that.”
A flurry of corner kicks in the second half had Haley a little worried because he thought his team was outsized, but he said the defenders did a good job of clearing the ball.
“They scared us on corner kicks,” Haley said. “They towered over us at many positions, so I thought they had the advantage. Both teams had their chances. It was a natural dog fight. In the end, there was no blood on the scoreboard, and it was a hard fought battle. Both teams pretty much put it all on the line.”
Both teams had five shots on goal and four corner kicks. For the Red Devils, Jenkins had three shots on goal, while McFarland and Austin Sovar added one each.
Owensboro plays again at 7 p.m. Thursday when they host Apollo for their first District 9 matchup. Apollo lost 1-0 Monday at Warren Central.
