WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

The soccer match between Jefferson and Paisley middle schools started off as an evenly matched affair.  As the game progressed, Jefferson asserted their dominance and walked away with a 7-0 victory.

When the game began, both teams seemed to be trying to get a feel for one another.  Paisley was the first team to get a shot on goal, but it was saved by the Patriot goaltender.  Not to be outdone, the Jefferson strikers went on the attack.  Aiden Palmerton put Jefferson on the board, first after receiving a pin point pass from a teammate, giving them a 1-0 lead.

From that point going forward, the Patriots never let up on their opponents. Minutes after the goal by Palmerton, Patriot midfielder Matthew Allen scored for a 2-0 lead.  The Patriots launched multiple shots on goal for the remaining of the half and all were stopped by the Panther goaltender until right before the half. Weston Joyner dribbled past two Paisley defenders and scored a beautiful goal right before the whistle.

Jefferson head coach Nick Beno said his team did not play the way he wanted them to in the first half but turned things around in the second half.

“I think it was just a matter of making them aware of how we need to play the game and making them understand that we weren’t playing the game of soccer how I wanted them to play, so I think it was a wake-up call to them,” said Beno.

The Panthers appeared to come out of the half with more intensity on both ends of the field.  Early on in the second half, they were able to withstand the pressure from the Patriot offense.  Joyner changed that when he scored his second goal of the game midway through the second.

With few substitutes on their bench, the Panther defense began to tire and Jefferson took full advantage.  The Patriots, having a full compliment of substitutes, kept their players fresh by subbing frequently throughout the game.

The Patriots scored three more goals before the end of the half to make the final score 7-0.  Coach Beno says he likes what he saw from his team and loves to overwhelm their opponent.

“We played well, we play a typical game where we like to be fast and running all the time,” Beno added.  “That’s the mindset I like my kids to have and that’s why I also like to have a lot of depth.

Beno also said even with the 7-0 victory, he never overlooks an opponent and always prepares his team to play to the best of its abilities.

“Be humble; it doesn’t matter who we play, where we play, or when we play. You have to respect the opponent you play no matter how good or talented or equal level they are.  You have to respect them at all times no matter who they are,” Beno said of what lessons his team can learn from a game like this.