Massac County's Kyle Hannan (21) and Lathan Harris (9) celebrate Joseph Gomez's (10) goal against Murphysboro. Photo by Hunter Whitecotton/Southern Focus Photography
Hunter Whitecotton with Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
METROPOLIS — The Southern Illinois River-to-River boys soccer conference title remains unsettled after Massac County and Murphysboro battled to a 1-1 draw Tuesday in Metropolis.
The matchup carried high stakes, with the teams entering tied in the conference standings. A win for either side would have guaranteed at least a share of the league crown. The day carried added meaning for Massac County, who honored its seniors before kickoff in an emotional ceremony.
The Patriots played with energy from the start but fell behind early when Murphysboro sophomore David Boudet scored just five minutes into the match. The game remained 1-0 for the remainder of the first half with both teams turning up the physicality.
Massac County answered eight minutes into the second half. Following a yellow card issued to the Murphysboro goalkeeper, Patriots’ senior Joseph Gomez capitalized on the ensuing free kick to level the score at 1-1.
“Being able to do it in front of my family and friends, it just felt so good,” Gomez said.
Murphysboro had an opportunity to take the lead shortly after on a free kick from freshman Nolan Guetersloh. He found junior Jonas Schaldemose for what would have been the go ahead goal, but the goal was waived off due to an offsides call.
The result marked the second 1-1 draw between the programs in the past three weeks. “Honestly the game was very similar,” said Murphysboro head coach Tim Bunselmeyer. “Both of their goals came off free kicks against us. Both games are physical, even dating back to last season. All our games against them (Massac), were one score games.”
“I can’t thank these young men enough,” Massac County head coach Kyle Reinwald said of his team. “I couldn’t be prouder with the effort our team gave tonight. This is the winningest class that we’ve ever had. Up until these last three years, we have never had double digit wins.”
“What they have done for me as a coach, our school and really the soccer community as a whole here in Metropolis is just humongous,” Reinwald added.
With the tie, both teams remain alive in the conference race. The Patriots will continue their non-conference schedule Thursday as they travel to Vienna/Goreville before their final conference game next Thursday at Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden. Murphysboro will close its conference schedule Thursday as the Red Devils will host Harrisburg.
