Caldwell County’s game plan kept its match against defending 2nd Region champion Madisonville-North Hopkins close.
However, the Maroons dominated possession and got out of Princeton with a 3-0 triumph Thursday night in a game shortened to 53 minutes by lightning.
The Tigers were heavy underdogs against the Maroons, who have won the last 12 7th District championships.
Madisonville (2-0 overall, 1-0 district) found the net in the 10th minute when Nelson Menjivar scored with help from Dru Lile.
But that would be the Maroons’ only tally of the first half as Caldwell packed in its defense and got to halftime down just 1-0.
Freshman goalkeeper Grayson Harris and the Tiger defense played well, but the Maroons’ multitude of scoring opportunities eventually took its toll.
Madisonville gained some breathing room in the 45th minute when Dom Blanford scored off an assist from Lile to make it 2-0.
The margin grew to 3-0 when Lile scored in the 53rd minute. Maddox Schneider picked up the assist on that goal.
However, before the ball could be put back into play, officials noticed lightning off to the west. Play was halted, and with more weather moving in, the score was declared final.
Madisonville has won 18 straight matches over the Tigers. The Maroons hold a 26-1 advantage all-time in the series.
Madisonville sees action again on Saturday afternoon when it travels to Elizabethtown.
Caldwell (0-2, 0-1) will also play again on Saturday when it goes to Marshall County.
