Franklin Boys Soccer Struggles but Gets Win Over Marshall

The boys soccer team had several breakaway scoring opportunities against Marshall but for most of the game the Panthers were unable to convert. But midway through the second half, the Panthers were finally able to head one home to earn a 1-0 victory and their first Northern League win.

“I thought we played really flat today,” Franklin coach Jose Umana said. “We had a lot of scoring opportunities, but a lot of our players had really off games. We are a great team and I don’t think we showed that today.”

Both teams traded scoring opportunities early on. Marshall sent a volley shot just over the bar, while Franklin hit a header just wide of the post off of a free kick.

The first of many breakaway attempts by Franklin was its closest chance. Forward Afredo Mercado settled the ball down and hit it over the goalie, bouncing it off the crossbar. A Franklin attacker then headed in a rebound, but the Marshall goalie recovered in time to stop it. The play was a microcosm of the Franklin offense.

“We set ourselves up for a bunch of scoring chances but we just couldn’t finish them. Thankfully our defense played great today and kept us in it, but we need to work on that going into the rest of league,” Umana said.

Franklin had a three-on-one breakaway to end the half, but the Marshall keeper made a diving save to keep the game scoreless going into the half.

Franklin kept on the attack throughout the second half. But it wasn’t until about 15 minutes left in the game, that the Panthers were able to finally score a goal.

Franklin sent a cross toward the goal off of a throw in, and Ricardo Gonzalez, who struggled to convert on several breakaway chances, finally was able to head the ball in the back of the net.

“That was a play that we really worked on in practice,” Umana said. “It was a nice cross and he headed it in great. It was good to see that work in practice pay off today.”

Marshall had to press towards the end and was able to get some shots on goal, but the Franklin defense held tight and kept Marshall out. Marshall had a corner kick on one of the last plays of the games, but Franklin once again cleared it out and held on for the 1-0 win.

“I was really proud of our defense, Umana said. “I thought our captain Jesus Valdez played great in particular. He was unbelievable and came up with a ton of stops”

The win puts Franklin at 6-1-1 on the year, and the Panthers next play Lincoln on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.