After enjoying the Labor Day weekend and a week of preparation, Marshall faced a pair of state powers in the tournament.

 

In the opener, Marshall faced off against Grosse Ile. Grosse Ile has been in the state championship game 5 of the past 6 years.  Last year being the year they weren't in the final, as they ONLY advanced to the semi-finals last fall.  They are an extremely aggressive and physical team that is difficult to play against.  Marshall battled gamely in a largely uneventful first half.  Grosse Ile did go into the interval up 1-0 after Marshall failed to clear a corner and a Grosse Ile player smashed a banger into the net.

 

Grosse Ile continued to have a slight edge in most areas and chipped away at Marshall's defense and their confidence.  Grosse Ile was able to find 2 second half goals and, in the end, won by a comfortable 3-0 scoreline.

 

In the consolation game, Marshall faced a Mason team with equally impressive resume.  Mason is currently ranked #7 in the state in Division 2.  They were in the state finals last fall and have 4 state titles to their name.  In a game with a very different feel than the opener, Mason controlled the early play and managed a couple of dangerous opportunities.  Against the run of play, Marshall took a lead mid-way through the 1st half when Rowdy Joseph fired a shot on goal that the goalkeeper couldn't coral.  Ronnie Gill was on hand to put the rebound in the net and give Marshall a lead they would take into halftime.

 

While Mason certainly carried more of the play in the 2nd half, Marshall had their share of possession and dangerous counters.  Unfortunately, Marshall defenders mishit a cross that Mason had sent into the box.  The ball deflected off the defenders foot and looped over the goalkeepers head for an own-goal that tied the score at 1-1.  As the game came to a close,  Marshall defended stoutly and did a great job limiting Mason's scoring chances to earn a hard fought 1-1 tie.

 

After the tournament,Marshall's record is now 2-4-1 as they prepare to begin I-8 Conference play on Tuesday when they travel to Parma to play Jackson Western. In their I-8.