Wet conditions spoil Indians' soccer opener

The game just missed the afternoon downpour. But the midday deluge that pelted Marysville sure did a number on the Indians' pitch.

With mud everywhere, standing water at midfield, the goalies' boxes and the corners, Marks Field became the place where good passes died in puddles and balls splashed about instead of finding a forward's foot on Tuesday.

It presented a particular problem for visiting Inderkum. After practicing on a pretty synthetic turf field, the Tigers had to top the Marysville High girls soccer team in a veritable swamp.

They did, 2-0, a testament to speed and athleticism as the work-in-progress Indians learned ways to improve after being handed their first loss of the season in their home opener.

"Very fast," Marysville coach Chris Osborne said of the Tigers attack. "They got behind us and that's all there is to it."

It's true. From the first minute, Marysville (1-1-1) was having issues keeping up with a dynamic freshman. Danielle McCarthy, the one they call "pumpkin," routinely squashed the Indians defenders. She put a shot on goal in the first minute and remained relentless even after scoring in the 11th minute.

"She's a little beast out there," Tigers coach Ryan Traughber said.

Her play — part grit, part speed, part acumen — kept the Tigers on a consistent offensive attack despite the field conditions, which became the overlying theme of this early season contest.

"It's real tough with the conditions out there," Traughber said. "What you work on in practice you have to throw out the window."

The home team coach agreed. Osborne knows it's their field, but still. With 13 minutes left, Alma Guerra looked to be on a breakaway as a pretty pass from the midfield sliced through the Tigers defense.

Then the ball stopped five feet behind her, the chance for a score was floating in a puddle.

While much of this contest was mired in the mud, the Indians did see some areas where they need to improve before starting Golden Empire League play.

"We need to figure out where everybody is, get new positions and team dynamics," Osborne said before stating what he perceives to be the biggest issue — execution.

It was the same for the Tigers, whose coach wanted to see more goals than McCarthy's score and Brianna Williams goal in the 27 minute of the second half.

Those needs to improve are why both coaches are big on challenging non-conference games — even if their players are filthy afterwards like in this contest, they will have taken away experience which will help clean-up their game.

"We are playing above our heads deliberately," Osborne said. "But when league rolls around I expect to have a good season."

The Marysville JV team (2-1) won 1-0, thanks to Ellie Fisher, who scored the lone goal.