Tornado blows past Pioneers: McCallie erupts after close first half
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The Pioneers took on McCallie High School, which entered the game with a 7-4 record. The Blue Tornado was kept in check through the first half, but MaCallie scored two goals in the second half to take the 3-0 victory in non-district action.
The Tornado was quick and very skilled, which resulted in MaCallie controlling the tempo of the game. Midfielder Hill Johnson put MaCallie out in front at the 30:23 mark, after sending a shot past Warren County?s keeper Tucker Chastain.
Although the Tornado offense controlled the ball, Warren County played one of its best first halves of the season. The Pioneers ability to communicate on defense, made it possible for Warren County to keep MaCallie offense in check for the rest of the first half.
The Pioneers? only chance to score in the first period came with 5:08 left in the half, when Honest Mrema just missed a shot off of a corner kick. The half ended with the Tornado holding a 1-0 advantage.
A breakdown on defense for the Pioneers led to a quick goal by the Tornado in the second half when Brian Keys scored giving the visiting team a 2-0 lead.
McCallie fired four shots over the next 15 minutes, but Warren County?s defense and Chastain kept the Tornado grounded. But the Tornado continued to dominate the field, which led to a third goal for McCallie when Nouri Rahbe hit the back of the net, but it was waived off because of an off-sides call.
The Pioneers had an opportunity to score when Tony Garibaldi had a direct kick, but the effort was no good.
With 1:05 left to play, Jesse Morgan scored for the Tornado to secure the victory.
?We played one of our best first halves of the year,? said coach Keith Hamilton. ?McCallie has some outstanding players and for the most part we matched up with them very well. In the second half we continued to play well, but two mental breakdowns on defense hurt us. Still I?m proud of the effort we put forth tonight.?
Warren County was scheduled to take on Blackman on Thursday in a District 7-AAA battle.