With the warm weather comes intramural soccer for Murray State. Men’s teams Lee Clark and Lizo A went against each other Tuesday night at the IM fields, both looking for a win to keep an undefeated 2-0 record.
Team Lee Clark started the game off strong staying on offense for the majority of the first half. Lizo A struggled to keep the ball on its side. Clark player Jared Elmer scored the first goal for his team.
After Lee Clark’s first goal, Lizo A had more of a chance to play offensively. However, Lee Clark’s strong goalie kept Lizo A from scoring multiple times leaving the score 1-0 at the half with Lee Clark in the lead.
At the beginning of the second half, it seemed as if Lizo A had no luck once again. Multiple players for Lizo A attempted to score goals, but were unsuccessful. However, Lizo A’s goalie kept the team in the game, blocking two of Lee Clark’s attempted goals. Finally, Lizo A scored a goal leaving the game tied at the end of the second half.
With a tie score at the end of the game, the two teams continued to play in extra time. However, with both teams fighting to win, the score was kept at a tie leaving it up to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Lee Clark started off the penalty kicks missing its first goal while Lizo A made its first goal. With goalies blocking each team’s second kick, Lee Clark made its third penalty kick a goal, and Lizo A missed its next goal. Lee Clark stepped up for its next kick, and with the help of the Lizo A team’s goalie, the ball was accidentally knocked in and Lee Clark took the lead in penalty kicks.
Lizo A made its next goal tying up with Lee Clark in penalty kicks. Lee Clark made its next goal taking the lead in penalty kicks and leaving it up to Lizo A to make its next goal in order to stay in the game. However, Lee Clark’s goalie blocked Lizo A’s final attempt at scoring a goal ending the game with a score of 2-1.
Lee Clark player Branden Chesser said the game was not an easy win.
“This was our closest game yet,” Chesser said. “It was a battle.”
Chesser’s teammate Ian Mathes said the team has never practiced before. Mathes also said that he is pleased with his team’s performance on the field.
“I think we possessed well and defense played well,” Mathes said.
However, Mathes said there is one thing the Lee Clark team needs to work on for its next game.
“Cardio,” Mathes said. “A lot of guys got tired.”
Lee Clark improves its record to 3-0 while Lizo A falls to 2-1. Lee Clark will play Richmond Guys at the IM fields Tuesday at 9 p.m. following the Lizo A and Hester A game at 8 p.m.
Story by Taylor Crum, Contributing writer.
