STARKVILLE — The last time Starkville Academy boys soccer faced off against Pillow Academy, the Volunteers suffered a grueling 8-0 loss against the Mustangs.
In every aspect of that first meeting, Pillow dominated, but the same wasn’t true on Monday night.
In the cold at the Starkville Sportsplex, the Vols played a much more inspired game of soccer, creating chances and putting the Mustangs on the defensive.
It was a game of few chances, and unfortunately for Starkville Academy, Pillow was able to convert two of its chances, defeating the Vols, 2-0.
“I think the boys responded well to being scored on in that first game,” Starkville Academy head coach Chris Doss said. “I think Pillow were the ones in this game that lost their composure. We kept ours and were still trying to press there at the end to score. That’s a victory there, at least for me.”
Pillow got the better of the chances in the first half, controlling a lot of possession on Starkville Academy’s side of the field as the Volunteers (2-4-1) were forced to make saves and stay tough defensively.
A few counter-attacks allowed the Vols to subdue that constant pressure and lit a fire under them to attack more often in the second half.
“We definitely figured stuff out as a team more and more,” senior Jackson Walters said. “We’re starting to get guys more aggressive … I thought we had chances that we should have finished. I myself should have finished a goal.”
“We’re going to get better and hopefully see them again in playoffs.”
The second half saw much more sustained attacks from Starkville Academy, getting through balls into the box or crosses into the area.
Arguably the Vols’ best chance of the game came in the second half as what looked to be an off-target shot turned into a fantastic ground cross that was put just wide right of net.
The Mustangs’ keeper had committed too much to the left side of the net, leaving that open for what would have flipped the script completely.
Instead, Pillow escaped and was able to capitalize off chances down the other side of the field.
“There was a period there in that second half where we had about 10-15 minutes where we were really threatening,” Doss said. “I think what it came from was little combinations in the midfield and then we were able to get wide and create chances.”
“I think, at times, we were a bit too direct … We need to work on being a little more patient.”
Patience and finishing chances are the two major sticking points for Starkville Academy coming off this game, but it was a massive step forward from what transpired on the road earlier this season.
The Vols showed up ready to play and gave the Mustangs a run for their money.
Starkville Academy begins district play this week as the Vols travel to play Lamar School at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
Other scores
Heritage Academy 3, New Hope JV 2, shootout (Record: 2-3-1)
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