Breds, Fillies prep for district tournaments

Both the Harrison County Thorobreds and Harrison County Fillies have one more regular season game on their respective schedules, with both 24th District Soccer Tournaments set to begin at Stonerside Field in Paris.

Both teams are looking to try and snare some momentum heading into the post-season, and both teams will get a final chance to do that tonight.

The Breds (1-12) are looking for their second win of the season and will travel to Frankfort tonight to try and get it. They will square off against Western Hills (5-11-2)with the varsity game scheduled to kick-off at 7 p.m. Harrison County nearly knocked off the Wolverines earlier in the season in the consolation round of the Stonerside Cup Tournament. The Breds lost 2-1 in a shoot out in that contest.

The Fillies (5-11-1) wrap up their regular season tonight in Richmond as they go against host Model Lab (6-10-2).

After enjoying a streak of winning three of four games at the mid-point of the regular season, the Fillies have fallen on hard times over the past three weeks.

They have lost five of their last six contests and have been shutout in each of those losses.

“It’s been a really difficult year for us, in terms of wins and losses, but our team has maintained a good attitude throughout and I can’t help but feel good things are gonna happen for us,” said Thorobred Head Coach Nick Hill. “We have been frustrated at times, but we have always given a great effort and always play hard.”

Fillies coach Kim Jenkins feels much the same way that Hill feels.

“I really feel like we are playing hard and are improving, it just isn’t showing up in the win/loss column,” she said. “We have played some pretty good soccer at times, but have made just enough mistakes at crucial times to get ourselves in trouble. Hopefully, we’ll be able to put together a full game in the district tournament.”          

If the regular season is truly just for practice, and if everybody begins the post-season with 0-0 records, the Breds are in good shape for their opening round game against top-seed Montgomery County (10-5-4). They play on Monday in the first game of a double-header at Stonerside Park. The game will begin at 6 p.m., with the second semi-final, between Bourbon County (7-12-0) and Clark County (5-5-4) set to kick-off at 8 p.m.

The championship game in the four-team district will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

The two teams faced each other once during the regular season, with Montgomery County prevailing at LeBus Field three weeks ago, 2-0.

“We were right in that one to the very end,” said Hill of the Sept. 23 loss to the Indians. “It seems like we play our best against the good teams then fall off some when we play the lesser teams. I am convinced we can play with anybody, it’s just a matter of getting over the hump and getting a big win.”

The Fillies will play Paris (9-6-0) in the first round of the girls’ district tournament, also at Stonerside Park. Two weeks ago, Harrison County staved off the Lady Hounds at LeBus Field, winning 2-1. In that contest, Harrison County scored one goal in the early minutes of each half to earn the win.

“We’ll have our hands full with Paris this time,” said Jenkins. “They have some really good-looking athletes. They have good size, speed and quickness ... it’ll be a challenge to find a way to win.”

On Tuesday, the upper bracket semi-final contest between Bourbon County (11-4-3) and Clark County (6-6-3) will begin at 8. Prior to that game on Tuesday, Montgomery County lies in wait to take on the winner of the Harrison County/Paris game. Tuesday’s first game will begin at 6 p.m.

The championship game for the ladies is set for Thursday evening at 7 p.m.