By Katie Barker
Carter County Times
The East Carter Raiders faced the Mason County Royals in the boys middle school soccer district championship on Saturday, May 11, coming away with a 1-0 victory. The Raiders earned their spot in the championship after defeating Simons Middle School with a 3-0 win.
In a back and forth battle between the teams neither were able to capitalize on their strengths and score a goal early on to secure a lead. While both teams had multiple opportunities and shots, none went in till the 25 minute mark of the first half. That was when the Raiders’ Thomas Burton, #5, dribbled the ball across the defense and shot; the ball soaring past the goalie.
The Raiders held possession until the end of the half leaving the game 1-0. At the half East Carter Middle School’s Head Coach Levi Kiser told his players, “Champions are not content with winning 1-0 and leaving it there.”
The Raiders took his words to heart going into the second half, and kept the Royals from scoring.
However, they’d have to learn to be content with their one point victory. The Royals goalkeeper and defense kept the East Carter boys at bay, and didn’t allow another goal to in throughout the second half. Both teams played hard and fought till the very end, trying to get the ball in the back of the net, but it just wasn’t happening.
The Raiders defense held just as strong though, only giving the Royals small opportunities and breakaways to get the ball down in the 18 yard box. Whenever a shot would come though, the Raiders’ goalkeeper would be there to stop it.
As the Raiders tried to capitalize on their lead and push it out more, the buzzer sounded making the East Carter boys district champions.
When asked about how the game went, Kiser said, “We are very fortunate that we have as many subs as we do, that can go in and help us and encourage us to keep playing up to our best efforts, which is what really helped us get the win today.”
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
