Mahomet-Seymour soccer wins two on their way to Apollo Conference game
By Fred Kroner
Mahomet-Seymour’s boys’ soccer team opened its week with back-to-back road victories.
On Monday (Oct. 10), the Bulldogs secured a 2-1 win at Normal Community. On Tuesday (Oct. 11), M-S handled Effingham, 9-0, to maintain their slender lead in the Apollo Conference.
Against Normal, Nolan Wheeler’s team-best 23rd goal snapped a 1-1 second-half tie and lifted the Bulldogs to victory.
The first-half score came on an Isaac Warren tally, with an assist by Kai Jones.
“The Bulldogs played their best game of the year after a terrible performance against Mount Zion in the previous game,” M-S coach Jeremy Davis said. “M-S jumped ahead with a counter-attack from Kai Jones, who saw space and a dangerous run from Isaac Warren. Warren calmly played the ball over a charging keeper who wasn’t able to get to it in time.
“In the second half, Nolan Wheeler was able to take a ball played into him centrally and fought off two defenders. He slid past both and was able to finish strong past the keeper for the game-winner.”
Davis praised the all-around performance of the midfielders.
“The midfielders had their best game of the year both offensively and defensively,” he said. “They were connected and organized, and their counter attack was electric and undoubtedly exhausting. Kai Jones, Mitchell McAnally, Carson Reed and Nick Tjahjadi were able to find that offensive and defensive balance.
“Sophomore Ian Dobrucki was able to give the Bulldogs huge minutes down the line as well. The line was able to keep pace and connect with speedster Nolan Wheeler, who had another great night.”
M-S didn’t miss a beat, even after Waren was sidelined.
“After Warren went down in the second half, Wheeler was able to keep the pressure on the backline and had his best night playing hold-up soccer while the mids made penetrating runs forward around him,” Davis said.
Against Effingham, seven Bulldogs scored goals, with both Jones and Wheeler hitting two apiece.
Teammates with goals were Sebastian Chamorro, Eli Stelle, Kolten Mannin, Zach Beyer and Carson Reed.
Jones and Brian Woodbury each contributed two assists. Finishing with one assist apiece were McAnally, Wheeler and Nick Tjahjadi.
M-S led, 5-0, at halftime en route to its 12th shutout of the season.
The Bulldogs are 9-1-1 in Apollo Conference play. Mount Zion is 8-1-2 and Lincoln is 7-1-3.
M-S (15-5-2 overall) returns to action on Thursday (Oct. 13) at Taylorville and can lock up first place in the Apollo with a win.
The M-S junior varsity team (12-1-1) suffered its first loss, a one-goal setback, at Normal.
