The Miami Trace Panthers honored their four senior boys soccer players prior to their game against McClain on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (l-r); Ian Mavis, Spencer Smith, Levi Morrison and Avery Bennett.
Tyler Flora | Record-Herald
It was senior night for the Miami Trace Panthers (6-5-1, 1-4 FAC) as they hosted the McClain Tigers (2-8, 0-4 FAC) in a rivalry boys soccer contest.
Prior to the match, Miami Trace honored their four seniors: Ian Mavis, Levi Morrison, Spencer Smith and Avery Bennett.
The match remained scoreless for nearly all of the first half, before Miami Trace’s Landon Burns scored on a direct kick at the 5:45 mark.
Less than 15 seconds later, McClain would respond on a deep goal from Gustavo Simas. The score would remained tied at the half.
At the 32:50 mark of the second half, Ian Rayburn would put the Panthers back in front 2-1.
They would extend their lead to 3-1 at the 23:39 mark on a goal from Matticks Hernandez.
With just 23 seconds left in the match, Simas would score on a penalty kick to make the score 3-2 which was the final.
Panther head coach Josh Thoroman spoke following the victory.
“I think we played well. It was another weird game. I feel like they came into the game with a game plan and they were executing their game plan and we were executing ours. We were playing a possession style and they were, in soccer terms, parking the bus on us back there. So, we really couldn’t unlock that defense and find good looks at the goal.
“We got one, and then you know they say that you are most susceptible to give up a goal right after you score a goal, and they took the ensuing kickoff and went straight down and scored. So, that was on us. We’ve talked about that a million times. We had the momentum and we should have kept it.
“They always play so hard against us. Soccer is such a weird game because the better team sometimes doesn’t always win. Tonight’s a night where we had a penalty kick and four yellow cards, but I’m proud that our team overcame a little adversity. McClain played us tough, they definitely get up for this game. We are tickled to death to come away with a win.”
Miami Trace (7-5-1, 2-4 FAC) will travel to Hillsboro (7-4, 3-2 FAC) on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Earlier this season, Miami Trace was defeated by Hillsboro by a score of 4-2.
McClain (2-9, 0-5 FAC) will look to regroup when they travel to Chillicothe (7-3, 5-0 FAC) on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The Cavaliers shut out the Tigers 12-0 earlier in the season.
