Titans Soccer Beat District Rival In Thriller
Mercer County senior Matthew Raskin kicked the ball in the Titans victory over West Jessamine Thursday, Aug. 28.
It was such an exciting battle between district rivals Mercer County and last year’s 12th Region Champion, the West Jessamine Colts Thursday night that fans were right on the edge of the field watching the final moments of the game.
The first half of the game started out slow, with both teams possessing the ball in the middle of the field with no real chances of scoring.
With five minutes left in the first half, Mercer County had an opportunity from 15-yards out, but a West Jeassamine defender slid in and took the ball from freshman forward Brandon Ballard just as he was about to shoot.
The first half came to a close as a 0-0 tie, with Mercer shooting six times compared to West Jessamine’s five.
After halftime the Titans came out firing shots at West Jessamine goalkeeper David Miller.
The Titans took seven shots in the second half before they finally got on the board on their eighth try, 21 minutes into the half.
Titan senior James Stinnett ran up the right sideline with the ball, while battling several Colt defenders, and got a cross off at the last second that landed right at the feet of Ballard. After receiving the ball from three-yards out, Ballard easily placed the ball around Miller for his first career goal.
“It was awesome. I was so happy when I scored, and I can tell the hard work is paying off. I hope there are plenty more to come,” said Ballard.
