Coming off a 2-1 loss to a quality Class 2 Maryville team, the young Gremlins hoped to continue to build on their season in the third place game at the Barstow Tournament Sept. 1.

Unfortunately, for the Gremlins, inexperience and youth reared its ugly head and the Gremlins gave up a season high five goals.

The first half was characterized by an extremely slow start by the Gremlins and a Barstow team that played with heart and desire. Constantly the defending, the Gremlins showed little offense and failed to control the mid-field. The great play of junior center back, Jude Rollings, was one of the few factors in the score not being much worse than 1-0 at half time.

The second half began with the Gremlins regaining mid-field control and constantly threatening up top. Just nine minutes into the half, Dylan Elwood (1) received a pass from Francisco Rojas and scored the equalizer. Unfortunately, before the Gremlins could even stop celebrating, the referee blew his whistle and the Barstow player shot the ball from half line, chipping senior goal keeper Easton Webb.

After, Barstow converted a loose ball off a corner kick into a goal, the Gremlins managed to close the gap with a deflection goal by Dallin Chappell (4). Barstow's relentless pressure and ability to continually win 50/50 balls proved the deciding factor though and the Gremlins fell to 2-2 on the season.

The loss was especially disappointing in the eyes of Coach Jones. "Being beat by a more skillful team is acceptable, but when effort and a will to win decides the game, that is truly unacceptable. Effort and Heart are the calling card of this Gremlin's team and we won't repeat this type of performance," he said.

The Gremlins will travel to the Clinton Tournament and open Wednesday night against tournament host Clinton. --- Submitted.

Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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