By STEVE CORNELIUS, CJ Sports Editor
Somerset — It took nearly 50 minutes before state-ranked Southwestern scored their first goal of the game, and it took just as long to introduce their 14 departed seniors on Senior Night.
But once the Senior Night ceremonies concluded and the Warriors finally scored their first goal, several more followed in a 3-0 win over South Laurel at the Plains on Monday.
“We did not come out with any intensity in the first half,” Southwestern coach James Ray said. “Anytime you have Senior Night and have 14 seniors, the pre-game ceremonies ran long, they didn’t get to properly warm up and there wasn’t really any mental focus at the start of the game.”
“In the second half we really got it going mentally and they attacked much better and played much more attractive soccer,” Ray said.
The Warriors had seven attempts at goal in the first half that were either missed or blocked by South Laurel keeper Tyler Huff to keep the game close in the early goings. But a Cardinal miscue opened the Southwestern flood gates in the 50th minute of the game.
“I thought we played hard and we played well because we held (Southwestern) scoreless for close to 50 minutes,” South Laurel coach Harmon Hodge said. “I think our defense played really well, but (Southwestern) wore us down.”
After another failed offensive drive by Southwestern, South Laurel made a short out pass that was intercepted by Nicklas Nielson just 35 yards out from the Cardinals’ goal. With the Cardinal defense already retreating to their offensive positions, Nielson had an easy path back to the goal for his 12-yard shot which slipped by South Laurel keeper Huff for the Warriors’ first score of the game.
“We actually centered the ball for them on that first goal and after they scored that first goal, we had a little letdown,” Hodge commented.
Four minutes later the Warriors mounted another offensive attack. On a throw-in from the right side of the field, Jeremy Nissen threw the ball deep into the box which was headed in by Cody Inabnitt at goal for the Warriors’ second score.
In the 56th minute, Inabnitt took a shot on-frame from 10 yards out that was deflected by Huff to the left side of the penalty box. Chris Campbell picked up the loose ball and crossed it back to the middle of the box to Nielsen, who sent the ball over Huff’s head for the Warriors’ 3-0 win.
For the game, South Laurel was outshot by Southwestern 18 to 3, with the Cardinals’ best attempt at a score coming off a 20-yard attempt by Caleb Spencer that was fielded by Southwestern keeper Michael Wright.
The Cardinals came into Monday’s match-up with three starters out of their line-up.
“We had to put several different people in different places,” Hodge said. “So, we had several of our players playing positions they were not accustomed to.”
While the Warrior faithful said farewell to 14 seniors playing in their last regular season game at the Plains, Southwestern coach James Ray had his own sentimental thoughts on his 14 departing soccer players.
“This is a group of seniors I had my first year here at Southwestern,” Ray explained. “This group has worked extremely hard and they have done everything we have asked them to do. I couldn’t be more proud of them for all the time they have put in and I know they are definitely going to missed come next year.”
Seniors Josh Daulton, Adrian Pulido, Michael Wright, Jeremy Nissen, Tyler Guillem, Ryan Smith, Lucas Beattie, Adam Prather, Shawn Rink, Brandon Schleter, Moises Avina, Francisco and Seth Weddle were all honored prior to the contest.
Southwestern (11-3-1) will be on the road for their next three games to finish out the regular season, while South Laurel (6-3-3) will host Middlesboro today.
