GRC boys’ soccer continues season amidst injury concerns

On Thursday, September 24, the George Rogers Clark High School boys’ soccer team celebrated Senior Night.

It gave first-year Head Coach Renny Ross, along with players, assistant coaches, and families, a chance to celebrate its senior class: Jack Keely, Louis Hall, Hagan Lopresti, Jefferson Gomez, Hagan O’Brien, Nathan Rigney, Carter Johnston, Jose Muse, Ryan Houchens, and Wyatt Jackson.

“Most of these seniors I’ve had since they were in seventh grade,” said Coach Ross, confirming he worked with the group before being named head coach at GRC. “(I’ve) been to Guatemala with several of them (and) seen them win at the (junior high) level.”

The Cards, since a five-game winning streak that began on August 20th with a 7-2 victory against East Carter High School and ended on September 1st with a 4-2 victory against Bourbon County High School, have been forced to deal with some unexpected circumstances.

Several players, unfortunately, have been hampered by injuries, forcing many reserves into the starting lineup.

While the experience is helpful, it has also brought adversity.

After a 1-1 tie against Frederick Douglass to begin September and a 5-1 victory over Marion County on September 5th, the Cards endured a five-game stretch in which they went 0-4-1.

Losses to Bishop Brossart, Montgomery County, and Pulaski County followed a 3-3 tie against Western Hills.

On Thursday evening, following pregame introductions recognizing seniors from the Class of 2026, the Cards took on Madison Southern.

The team fell behind early, 1-0, courtesy of a goal by junior Eli Buckley about ten minutes into the first half.

Over the next seventy minutes, the Cards battled.

Refusing to give up any more points, they had several athletic defensive plays, keeping the Eagles from adding to the scoreboard.

However, despite the Cards’ best offensive efforts, including a heavy presence late in the second half, they couldn’t find the scoreboard.

The Cards fell to the Eagles 1-0, moving their record to 6-5-2.

“I think, (in) the first half, we were playing a little bit passive and laid back. We made a couple adjustments at halftime to really put the pressure on them, and I think we ended up controlling much of the second half,” Coach Ross said. “Unfortunately, (in) soccer, sometimes (shots) go in. Sometimes, they don’t. Tonight, it just didn’t want to fall for us.”

Over the weekend, good fortune did come the Cards’ way.

On a road trip north, GRC defeated 10th Region opponent Campbell County 2-1 to improve their record.

Prior to the postseason beginning with 40th district tournament play, the team has four games remaining in the regular season: an 8:00 p.m. home matchup against Lexington Christian on Tuesday, September 29; an 8:00 p.m. matchup against Danville on Thursday, October 1st; a 7:30 p.m. matchup on Monday, October 5th; and an 8:00 p.m. matchup against Frankfort on Thursday, October 8th.

Despite the challenges, Coach Ross and the Cards remain focused on a successful future.

“You play the regular season to get to the postseason, and as long as we can get healthy and continue to keep working, I think we have a chance to win the district, still,” he said. “My coaching staff and I…our thoughts aren’t any less than what I thought at the beginning of the year.”