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Marshall Boys Varsity Soccer: I-8 Conference Champs Game Recap
Posted on 10/04/2024
Posted on 10/04/2024
The Marshall boys soccer program traveled to Coldwater Tuesday evening in what amounted to a championship game and Marshall emerged with a 1-0 victory and the Conference Title. Marshall entered the game with a 4-0-1 record having tied Harper Creek and beaten the rest of their conference opponents. Coldwater came into the game with a perfect 5-0-0 league record. So, a tie would have been enough for Coldwater to retain the title, but Marshall earned the title with a hard-fought road victory.
It was a typical Marshall-Coldwater affair. The intensity was off the charts as both teams and a healthy crowd put everything they had into the game as neither team was willing to give an inch. The game didn't feature lots of sparkling attacking play as both teams were focused on defending well and not giving up chances. Marshall did manage a pair of decent 1st half chances and felt good about their play going into the half tied at 0-0.
The second half featured more high intensity soccer with the crowd getting more boisterous and emotions getting amped up as the clock ticked down. Coldwater started the half well with a definite possession edge, but still found scoring chances hard to come by. As the half wore on Marshall seemed to be wearing Coldwater down a bit as they definitely gained more possession and started to create some chances and earn some attacking set pieces. It was one of those set pieces that ended up being the difference. With less than 10 minutes remaining on the clock, and a tie not being good enough, Marshall got the reward they were looking for. Ronnie Gill served a beautiful corner kick into the box where Brandon Baker rose above everyone else to put a thumping header past the keeper and into the net. A terrific looking corner kick goal became a championship moment as Marshall was able see out the final 9 minutes and win by the 1-0 score-line that goal created.
Senior goalkeeper, John Meyer, and the Marshall defense were brilliant all night long. They never took a wrong step all night long and inspired confidence from beginning to end. The shutout was the 2nd consecutive shutout for Meyer (the 1st time this year he's had back-to-back shutouts).
The win earns Marshall the outright I-8 Conference Championship with an undefeated 5-0-1 record. They also move 2 games over .500 for the 1st time this year with an overall record of 8-6-2.
Marshall returns to action with their last home match of the year on Saturday. They will hold their Senior Day Ceremonies before hosting Otsego at 11:30am on Saturday.