ASHLAND —
In a familiar refrain, Russell and Ashland battled down to the wire in boys soccer.
Junior midfielder Joey Fischer of Russell scored a goal in each half, then the two-time defending regional champs fended off an Ashland comeback for a 2-1 victory Saturday at Ashland Soccer Complex.
“Overall, I thought we played well,” said Red Devils coach Joe Grizzle, whose team defeated the Tomcats for the second time this season. “Our effort and teamwork were good.”
Russell clearly had the upper hand early, outshooting the Tomcats 12-3 in the first half while taking a 1-0 lead.
Grizzle, however, has experienced this rivalry for many years as Russell’s girls and boys coach. He cautioned the Red Devils at halftime.
“I told them, this team is going to come back so hard on you,” Grizzle related.
Sure enough, Ashland responded to a pep talk from coach Ken Wheeler after playing a sluggish first half in the 10:30 a.m. contest.
After Fischer made it 2-0 early in the second period, Ashland came alive and pressed the Red Devils the rest of the way.
Alex Donalson scored with just over 29 minutes remaining as the Tomcats posted a 6-4 shot advantage to start the second half.
“I was disappointed the first half,” Wheeler said. “I challenge the kids and they responded. A lot of our guys are new to the varsity. They don’t understand that every possession you have to compete.”
Both teams had scoring opportunities down the stretch, but couldn’t get the ball into the net. Ashland sweeper Alex Hamlin made a sliding defensive play to prevent a Russell shot from close range, while Russell turned away a couple of Tomcat scoring chances in the final minute.
“We’re happy to get the W,” Grizzle said. “Ashland made us work for it.”
The Red Devils picked up their third consecutive win after a season-opening loss to Boyd County. Grizzle is pleased with Russell’s progress after some lineup adjustments. He moved senior Taylor Hall to stopper and shifted junior Eyder Pulgarin from the outside to center midfielder.
“Taylor does an awesome job back there, and having Eyder in the middle has changed our game,” Grizzle said.
Pulgarin, from Colombia, set up Russell’s second goal by lofting a diagonal pass to the right side, where Fischer finished the play in one motion.
“It was a great pass,” Fischer said. “Eyder has been a real good addition to the team. He makes nice passes, and good shots at times.”
Fischer, one of the area’s premier playmakers, gave Russell an early 1-0 advantage. He had the ball in the middle, faked a defender, then set the ball and rifled a shot into the left side of the net.
Grizzle described Fischer as a true soccer player who loves the game.
“When he steps on the field, you know he is going to give 100 percent,” Grizzle said. “When I took him out of the game today for a two-minute breather, he could hardly believe it.”
Ashland (3-3) played without junior midfielder MacKenzie Mulloy due to a leg injury. Mulloy expects to be back on the field soon.
“MacKenzie is one of our leaders,” Wheeler said. “He’s quick and probably wins possession more than anybody on the team.”
Ashland had to rebuild its defense this season and Wheeler has been pleased with the progress.
“I thought Hamlin and (Jake) Royalty played real well today in the back,” he said.
Russell travels to Huntington High on Monday for a Labor Day doubleheader. The girls teams will meet at 9 a.m., followed by the boys at 11.
Ashland’s next match is Tuesday against visiting Rose Hill Christian.
ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.
Local Sports
Related Photos
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Russell's Joseph Fisher (10) against Ashland's Hunter Gullett (5) during their match at Ashland, Saturday. Kevin Goldy / The Independent
Discussion
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