Marques tied for most goals in state at 25
The Greene County boys soccer team fell to #12 Perry 6-1 April 27 in Grand Junction.The Rams record dropped to 6-4 after their third loss in a row.
“You can’t play the 2017 2A State Tourney fourth place team with little effort and energy and think you can win,” scolded coach Carl Behne. “Effort equals Results. We came out very flat defensively and as a team we had no energy. We continued to put Kyle (Peters, the goal keeper) under attack, and the 30 MPH wind didn’t help.”
Brazilian exchange student Leo Marques had the only goal for the Rams. It was his 18th in matches with the goal coming on a penalty kick. Greene County trailed 5-1 at the half.
Marques is making the most of his time in Greene County. He’s tied for the state lead in soccer goals scored with 25. Marques has played 11 matches for the Rams, who are in their first season of having their own soccer teams.
The Rams were 1-1 at the Des Moines Christian tournament Saturday. Behne’s team was down five starters (one injury, four on choir trip) and lost 9-1 to the host Des Moines Christian team, ranked ninth in Class 1A.
“DMC is an extremely tough team, and missing five starters, we struggled to settle in and a few scoring opportunities were missed,” noted Behne. “Kyle Peters had a number of fantastic saves, 17 in all, but the constant crosses in deep on our defense were just too much.”
The Rams won the second contest by a 7-1 score over Heart of Iowa foe Prairie City-Monroe.
“We were much more fluid in our passes and the unfamiliar frontline began to gel in the second match,” explained Behne. “Goals came easier to our crisper passing and better execution in our offensive 1/3.”
The Greene County boys are ranked number 16 by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association. The Rams are 7-5 after Saturday play. ~courtesy of The Scranton Journal
