Daviess County remains undefeated after Cameron Bell had two goals and an assist to help the Panthers win 3-1 against Apollo. The Eagles put on an impressive defensive display during the match, but a penalty from a handball put the game out of reach.
DCHS started the game off with high pressure and a fast tempo to score within the first 3 minutes of the game. Sam Glover scored the first goal of the match from an assist by Bell.
The first half saw AHS’ defense work overtime as DCHS had most of the possession. The first half ended 1-0.
The second half started with the same intensity as the first, as a DCHS attack forced AHS goalkeeper Htee Eh to make a save. The rebound was shot back towards goal, and AHS cleared the ball off the goal line to narrowly prevent the goal.
In the second half, AHS controlled most of possession with an improved passing performance. The Eagles’ defense kept fighting as well as Ra Ne Son had two goal line clearances to prevent the Panthers from increasing the lead.
AHS found a breakthrough when a long shot by Faraja Zawadi curled over the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. Zawadi’s goal tied the game 1-1.
DCHS took back the lead when a blocked shot resulted in a handball called on AHS inside the box. Bell stepped up to take the penalty, and gave DCHS a 2-1 lead by burying the ball into the bottom right corner.
Bell finished off the scoring with a goal from a late game corner kick assisted by Carter Payne. The final score was 3-1.
Despite securing the win, DCHS head coach Doug Sandifer said his team underperformed.
“Nothing was clicking, and mentally I think we just weren’t all here for whatever reason,” he said. “Apollo had the better effort for the bulk of the game, and we were lucky to get out of here with a win.”
AHS head coach Nikos Agisilaou applauded the aggression and effort from his team throughout the match, but the early goal halted them from starting the first half stronger.
“We gave away a goal in the first five minutes, and then we started to play but it was too late because we’ve already given a goal,” he said. “2-1 gives us a better chance, but 3-1 is very difficult to come back from.”
