(Story by Coach Shannon Grable)
      Chillicothe Boys Soccer at Excelsior Springs Tournament:
Chillicothe ---- 0
Excelsior Springs --- 2
Record: 5-7 overall (2-1 MEC)
     It was another spirited match played by the Hornets but they just could not find the back of the net. Playing against a solid Excelsior Springs squad that entered the match 13-2 on the season, on their home turf field, the Hornets displayed the kind of effort that was worthy of more than a 2-0 shutout. The Hornets were shorthanded due to injuries but they worked together to keep the game 0-0 for the first 55 minutes of the match.
     Excelsior got on the board 15 minutes into the second half on a cross that was headed by the Tiger forward just over the arms of Hornet keeper Troy Toedebusch. An offsides call against the Hornets with 15 minutes left in the match took away an equalizing goal by Connor Ruoff. With the team pressing forward to try and get that tying goal the Tigers were able to find an open player 20 yards in front of the Hornet net and he was able to line home a solid shot to the opposite corner of the net.
     This was probably the best overall 80 minute effort by the Hornets on the season. This followed a solid match against Savannah on Thursday night. Really good things can happen for this team if they keep playing together the way they have so far and keep working to get better. There is no quit in this team and they will be rewarded for that type of attitude and commitment.
     The Chillicothe Hornets finished 3rd in their first ever tournament.