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KINNIKINNICK — Thanks to a dominant defensive effort and timely scoring from Seth Hughes, South Webster is a district champion for the second consecutive season.
Scoring twice within seven minutes of game time, Hughes gave the Jeeps all that they’d need as they rode their way to a 2-0 district title victory over Lynchburg-Clay on Saturday at Zane Trace.
On their way to the victory, the Jeeps put together their fifth shutout in their last six matches. But this one came without normal starting goalkeeper Aiden McGraw. With McGraw sidelined with an illness, junior Sam Murphy has stepped up in the team’s last two games and has played 160 consecutive shutout minutes.
CREDIT: Erica Fike/SOSA
“Sam trained all year and he’s stepped right in and has done really well,” South Webster coach Corey Claxon said. “It’s just a matter of decision-making for him. But the ability is there.”
Making Murphy’s life easier was the defensive combination of Christian White, Caden Johnson, Beau Stephens and Cole Bennett, who held the Mustangs to only six shot attempts throughout the game — most of which came from well outside of the box.
Due to the long distance shots and with many being off-target, Murphy only needed to be called on for a pair of saves in the game, both of which he collected with ease.
However, you can play the best defense possible. But you still need to score to win.
Due to the efforts of Lynchburg-Clay’s Isaac Eyre, that was very difficult for the Jeeps to do. Eyre collected 11 saves on the night and defender JJ Massey even had a non-goalie save of his own to help keep the Jeeps off the board for most of the first half.
The lack of scoring was not for lack of effort from South Webster striker Hunter Barnard. The junior put pressure on the Mustangs’ defense, including hitting the post in the first half of play and forcing Eyre into a spectacular diving save as well.
“You could tell [Lynchburg-Clay] knew where he was at all times. They were marking him,” Claxon said. “He still had some chances. Their keeper played really well, though. He’s a great keeper. [Barnard] hit the post, had his chances, he just couldn’t get a goal to go.”
Even with Barnard unable to break through, the Jeeps consistently pushed forward in the attack behind Hughes, Brycin McClintic, Dylan Shupert, Benaiah Andrews and Carson Corriell.
The Jeeps’ attack eventually set up a corner kick in the final minutes of the half, leading to the first goal of the contest.
Once the corner was put into the box, the ball eventually found its way to the foot of Hughes, who successfully navigated a congested box to find the back of the net with 2:35 left in the opening half, taking a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Early in the second half, it appeared that an identical situation occurred. Hughes outworked everyone to a loose ball in the box off a corner and scored the dagger with 35:55 to play.
“Seth, all year, has been a great guy on the wing,” Claxon said. “He gets down and gets the ball in. A lot of times, he’s involved in goals but maybe not scoring them. Tonight, on corner kicks, it’s just a battle in front of the goal. Someone ends up knocking it in and it ends up being Seth. He’s great about just getting in there and battling for it. He’s done a great job all year long.”
Facing a 2-0 deficit, Lynchburg-Clay tried to push forward, but the vaunted Jeep defense was able to fully deny the LC’s offensive efforts, helping guide the Jeeps back to the Sweet 16.
The victory allows the Jeeps to return to action at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in a Division V regional semifinal at Jackson High School. There, they’ll meet with Minford for a third time this season.
“There are three teams in [the Southern Ohio Conference] moving on,” Claxon said. “It’s a tough division. Unfortunately, we were the number three team in that mix. We split with Minford, but they’re a good team.”
Scoring Summary
1st Half: 2:35 (SW) Seth Hughes
2nd Half: 35:55 (SW) Seth Hughes
Stat book
Shots: South Webster 21, Lynchburg-Clay 6
Saves: Murphy (SW) 2, Eyre (LC) 11, Massey (LC) 1
Fouls: South Webster 9, Lynchburg-Clay 8
Corners Won: South Webster 4, Lynchburg-Clay 0
POWERED BY GLO FIBER
