McClain and Hillsboro play to a tie

GREENFIELD — It was a well-played and officiated game last Thursday (Oct. 8) night in Greenfield at McClain Field on senior night for three McClain players Case Robbins, Gabriel de Simas, and Antonio Miglietta.

The game was physical and intensely played by both teams and after 80 minutes of play it ended as it probably should have in a 2-2 tie.

Both teams had several opportunities to win down the stretch, but great defense and superb goalie play prevented that from happening.

“This was without a doubt the most entertaining game we’ve played all year,” McClain head coach John Gill said after the game. “It was a lot of back and forth, just awesome and both teams were in it until the very end.”

McClain sophomore Janson Allison scored the first goal of the match at the 23:28 mark of the first half from a great assist by Gavin Stephens.

Hillsboro’s senior captain Grant Shepard tied the game at 1-1 on a nice shot with 14:41 remaining in the opening half.

Allison put the Tigers back in front moments later when he scored a header goal in close from another good assist by freshman Gatlin Secrist. 

Neither team was able to score the rest of the half and McClain took a slim 2-1 lead into intermission.

“Janson (Allison) is just a sophomore and he scored both of our goals in the first half,” Gill said. “I think he now has scored nine goals in the league and he’s really up there in the FAC scoring.”

The second half started and finished just like the first with a lot of intense clean, play and some great defense by both teams.

Hillsboro freshman Michael Epure tied the game at 2-2 with still 28:05 left to play but neither team would put another ball into the net.

“This was a really fun, clean, and physical game by both teams,” said Hillsboro head coach Ben Howland. “I think this was my 1oth game coaching against Greenfield and they’ve all been played like this. I thought our defense held up great tonight and after we’ve moved some stuff around everything is starting to come together.

“Grant Shepard our four-year starter and senior captain scored our first goal and then Michael Epure who is just a freshman scored our second one,” continued Howland. “Our sophomore goalie Owen Davis who just come back from a broken hand played really well tonight and I had him with seven saves.”

Both coaches also complimented the two veteran officials who did an outstanding job keeping the match clean and without incident.

“It was a good physical battle that never got out of hand due to some good officiating,” Gill said. “Just a very competitive game and you can’t really ask for anymore than that, except maybe a win.

“We needed to win tonight to secure second place in the F.A.C. which was one of our team goals, but you have to take what you can get. I also want to give a big shoutout to my two midfielders, Jeremy Fent and Landan Cullom who I thought played very well the entire game.”

Coach Gill spoke after the game about his seniors.

“We have really enjoyed the passion for the sport and the desire to win that these three seniors have brought to this team,” Gill said. “Case Robbins is the only four-year player on our roster and he’s really grown and developed as a young man a real leader on this team.

“Gabriel (de Simas) and Antonio (Miglietta) are both exchange students that have brought their unique cultural prospectives and have helped us learn about the world outside of southern Ohio, which is amazing.”

McClain will play their final game of regular season Monday, Oct. 12 when they host Eastern Brown in a 7 p.m. start.