McClain boys soccer loses to Ironmen

The McClain boys soccer team entertained Frontier Athletic Conference foe Jackson on Thursday night and played them pretty much even over the first 50 minutes of the 80-minute match, before falling to the visitors, 4-1.

The Jackson boys, like their girls team, are very good and well-coached and are also considered one of the favorites with Chillicothe to win the FAC.

It was a defensive struggle by both teams in the opening half with neither team having many scoring opportunities until the Ironmen’s Cooper Moore found the back of the net with just 13:44 showing on the first-period clock.

Both teams continued to play great defense to start the second half, and Jackson still held the slim 1-0 advantage until McClain senior Bryce Graham tied the match on a goal off a deflection in front of the net at the 27:27 mark, but that would be as close as the Tigers could get the rest of the way.  

Jackson scored back-to-back goals by Landon Profiet on penalty kicks moments later for a 3-1 lead, and he got the hat trick with a late goal with just 9:05 remaining.

The Tigers, despite the hard-fought loss, still were able to show their toughness and physicality throughout the match, and everyone in attendance was treated to an entertaining contest by both teams.

McClain’s next match is Tuesday, Sept. 26 at home against FAC foe Miami Trace, then host Chillicothe on Thursday, Sept. 28 with a 7 p.m. start time.