Header goal by Davis leads to McClain win over Peebles

The McClain boys varsity soccer team overcame gut-wrenching heat and a late-game deficit to defeat Peebles, 2-1 Saturday on McClain Field.

It was a match where both teams played hard and were thoroughly exhausted by game’s end when the Tigers used late-game heroics to earn the come-from-behind victory over a very good Peebles team.

“I’m absolutely proud of my guys today,” said McClain head coach John Gill. “After we got scored on late, I was worried thinking are we going to give up now or try to win the game, and our kids decided to win, which was the right choice.”

The first half ended in a scoreless battle where both teams had several opportunities to score, but great defense by both goalies kept the points off the scoreboard.

“Zayne Knisley, our freshman goalkeeper, had an outstanding game today and made a lot of great stops, and without him this year we probably wouldn’t have any wins,” Gill said. “He comes up big in every game.”

Peebles took a 1-0 lead on a breakaway goal by Colin Sims at the 16:27 mark of the second half, and it looked like that single goal might hold up, but McClain junior Creed Davis answered moments later on an unassisted goal to tie the match 1-1 with 11:17 remaining in the contest.

With this game tied and the minutes ticking off the clock, it looked like the match would end in a draw until Davis got a great assist from Rayden Daugherty and scored the winning goal on an unbelievable header just in front of the net.

“That winning goal by Creed was incredible, and I wasn’t even expecting that to be honest with you, and Rayden played an exceptional game for us,” said Gill. “Everything we do flows through him; he’s the starting point of our defense and the starting point of our offense.

“Another big moment in the game was when our little freshman Cade Raike, who was the smallest guy on the field, comes in and makes two big plays, including when he slides in and won the ball high up the field, which set up our winning goal.

“We’re 2-2 right now and I’m really happy with that and now we get a little bit of a break and have some time to watch film and work on what needs to get oiled out,” Gill continued. “We knew coming into the season it was going to be a rebuild because of all the young players we have, but so far everyone is playing hard and contributing.”

In their previous game, the Tigers lost by a 6-0 score against Zane Trace in non-conference action.

McClain (2-2) travels to Jackson Thursday, Aug. 29 for a 5 p.m. start, then travels to Westfall on Saturday, Aug. 31 for a 3 p.m. start time.

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