Published: October 11, 2008 10:46 pm            

Russell plays tough to defeat Pendleton

FLATWOODS — Russell’s soccer match Saturday with Pendleton County had tournament-type intensity in a district warmup for both teams.

Strong contenders in Regions 11 and 12, respectively, the Red Devils and Wildcats didn’t shy away from 50-50 balls on the final day of the regular season.

Russell delivered the only goal of the second half for a 2-1 win at the Russell Soccer Complex.

In the process, the Red Devils handed Pendleton County only its fourth defeat in 16 matches this season.

“It’s one of the most physical games we’ve played this season,’’ said Russell junior T.J. Sloan, who scored the first goal in his team’s come-from-behind win. “We played hard and had to earn it.’’

The teams were locked up 1-1 at the break. Well into the second half, Red Devils midfielder Michael Bajorek dribbled through defenders and fired a shot into the lower right corner of the net.

“I tried to pass to Brad (Gross) but the ball started to get stolen,’’ Bajorek said. “I kept looking up for people to pass to, then finally saw an open lane and took the shot.’’

Russell made the lead stand up and completed the regular season with a 12-2-2 record.

“I’m glad we played a good team right before going into districts,’’ Bajorek said. “This has to be one of our biggest wins.

The Red Devils went 1-1-1 against northern Kentucky opponents this season. Russell rallied from a three-goal deficit to get within 3-2 against Highlands and a week later tied Ryle 1-1.

“Teams up there play a very physical style of soccer and I thought we hung in with every one of them,’’ Grizzle said. “Pendleton County brought it to us early and we took it back to them. It was a good game for us getting ready to go into the district. I’m just glad we got out without having anyone injured.’’

Pendleton County wasn’t so fortunate. Late in the first half, senior defender Patrick Holmes and Russell’s Jason Dolly made solid contact with the ball simultaneously.

Holmes went down and had to be helped off the field. Afterward, Pendleton County coach Tony Ripberger said Holmes had a broken toe.

The Wildcats pulled some of their starters in the second half. Senior forward Matt Feltner, who entered the weekend with a team-leading 17 goals, got banged up in the Wildcats’ 4-1 win at Rowan County on Friday night and played only about 20 minutes against Russell.

“I didn’t want any more injuries going into the district,’’ Ripberger said. “This was definitely a rough game. With two evenly matched teams, you are going to get that.’’

Pendleton County’s first-year coach was impressed with Russell.

“It’s a good, aggressive team,’’ he said. “They are skilled and have a real good keeper.’’

Senior Andrew Braun helped protect Russell’s lead in the second half by going low to stop Blake Scott’s header off a Pendleton County corner kick.

The game started a little after 10 a.m. and the Wildcats took a 1-0 lead on Korey Workman’s goal. Russell’s Sloan answered, using nice footwork to shake a defender and set up his shot from near the top of the box.

“Alex Christie passed me the ball,’’ Sloan said. “I turned, shot with my left foot and got it under the keeper.’’

The Red Devils have shown an ability to come from behind this season and Grizzle was proud of the latest effort.

“They didn’t let that deficit hurt them,’’ Grizzle said. “Any time you can come back on a team that plays a good, physical style you have to be pleased.’’

Russell begins district competition Wednesday at East Carter.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.

        

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