Webster County’s boys soccer team was finally able to start a match with every player eligible Saturday, and showed that other teams had better bring their best game when facing the Trojans.
WCHS registered a 2-2 tie against visiting Murray, a top 50 team in the state.
“[We] hopefully showed everyone in the Second Region that this team is for real and not a push over,” said Webster head coach Robert Daugherty. “Murray was a top 50 team in the state [coming into the game]. So, our team wanted this one bad.”
The Trojans took a 2-1 lead at the 65-minute mark when Evan DeLamar found the back of the net against the Tigers’ defense. WCHS held that advantage until late in the second half when Murray tied the game with 30 seconds remaining.
Murray took an early 1-0 lead but saw Webster County knot the game in the 30th minute when Josue Barrera booted one over the goal line.
Rocky Juan and Denny Rivas posted one assist apiece.Jesus Martinez saved seven of the nine Murray shots.
Daugherty says he is starting to see his team put together a full 80 minutes on both sides of the field.
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“At the beginning of the year I preached defense for the first month and a half,” he said. “Now I’m starting to preach offense in practice.”
He says the emphasis on offense has gotten the Trojans past the struggles they faced in the early going this season.
But because of the attention to defense, he would place Webster County up against any other team in the Second Region.
Daugherty seems most impressed with how his squad is working together.
“(Saturday) night was honestly an all-around team effort,” he said. “From Cade Howell and Miguel Jimenez giving great minutes off the bench giving other starter breaks, to all the defensive backs. Aidan Wilson is one of players that you love if he’s on your team but hate playing against. Rodrigo Jimenez is one of the most technically sound players I’ve seen, and played very well. David Velasco has speed and heart you can’t beat. Sebastain Dorazi has no quit; I can tell this kid to do anything, and he will. Jaxen Miller made a huge impact of both sides of the ball. If I had to give one player the player of the match, I just couldn’t. Everyone played well.”
The Trojans were scheduled to host Mayfield Tuesday night after press time. The match was part of a girls-boys varsity double header.
They are set to play at Fort Campbell Thursday at 7:00 p.m. They are slated for the first round of the Class 2A Sectional at Calloway County next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m when they will face Trigg County. The second round is scheduled for next Thursday, and finals on Saturday.