The Versailles Republican Sports
September 13, 2007

Eagles' perfect soccer season blemished

Gary Franklin - Sports Editor
The Jac-Cen-Del Eagle coed soccer team met with their first loss of the 2007 season on Monday evening, September 10. The loss also blemished their ORVC perfect season run as the aggressors were the South Ripley Raiders boys' team.
Last year the teams wound up 1 and 1 in their regular season play, with the Eagles winning the third meeting in tournament playoff action. This year, however, the teams only face each other this one time, that is until possibly a playoff re-match.
First half scoring was nil for both teams, but early on in the second half. The first South Ripley goal came from Mitch Krall. A later score by the Raiders in the half came from Nathan Hensley.
Unwilling to give up without a battle, the Eagles regained half of their deficit off a goal shot by Spencer Purdy. The Eagles attempted many more threats as the game wound down, but couldn't quite get over the hump.
The Raiders team was like hornets whenever the Eagles would get near the ball and eventually rallied to take the game.
Eagle senior leader David Busch scurried with every opportunity as did many other Eagle players, but they could not overtake the blistering defensive effort of the Raiders.
Playing goal keeper for South Ripley was Paul Swango and sophomore Shane Adams handled the duties in goal for the Eagles.
The Raider win put their record at 8-2 overall and 5-1 in ORVC play.
Coach Mark Jones of the Eagles team commented following the game, "We entered the game undefeated and in first place in the ORVC, we left the game with a loss and tied for first." If this loss gets us playing better then it will be a good thing. It would be exciting if SR continues to win and we enter our next meeting with the conference title on the line. That would be good for soccer in Ripley County. On this particular day we did not do enough to win. Congratulations to SR as they played well, but I'm proud of what my team has accomplished in the last year and a half. A few years ago teams did not get excited when they beat us. Now, as you saw, South Ripley teams get excited when they beat Jac-Cen-Del.
It is not all bad!
Editors note: Both these teams and Milan have come a long way and can find pride in their achievements to date.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Above, The dust and ball flies, as Raider defenders chase to close off an ever threatening Eagle drive to the goal by (13) David Busch, in white.

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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Lady Raiders claim 3-2 victory Above in white shirt, South Ripley Lady Raider soccer team player, Ashley Buchanan, breaks away toward the Raider goal in their match against the Oldenburg Academy Lady Twisters on Monday, September 10. The Raiders closed the deal with a 3-2 victory.