Photo - Antoinette Skinner
James Garnett recorded a brace on each side of halftime on Tuesday to lead the Trigg County boys’ soccer team to its first win of the season and a leg up in the race for the 5th District title with a 7-1 victory over visiting Lyon County.
After losing both regular-season meetings last year, the Wildcats prevailed in the district championship match and have now won two straight in the series.
Garnett wasted no time getting started against the Lyons, scoring after a loose ball in the box after only two minutes of play. He then doubled the Wildcats’ advantage off an assist from Elliott Sutton for a 2-0 lead.
Trigg struck again with just under 15 minutes left in the opening half when Corben Woodall got behind the defense on the right side and fired a shot that was saved by Lyon goalkeeper Kveon Cain. Wildcat senior Alex Hurt was in the right spot at the right time, heading in the rebound at the far post to extend the lead.
However, the Lyons snatched back some momentum when Boston Mullen scored from close range after a misplayed ball by the Trigg defense.
But the second half was all Wildcats, starting with a goal by Slaton Carter on a tap in at the near post after a corner by Hurt. Less than a minute later, Garnett added his third off a pass from Hurt, and he rounded out his four-goal night with another strike off a Hurt through ball.
With just under 10 minutes to play, sophomore Nate Kelly collected his first career goal with a strike from outside the box for the final margin.
Trigg moved to 1-6-2, 1-0 in district play, ahead of a trip to Caldwell County on Thursday.
The Lyons slipped to 1-7 and have a week off before hitting the road to face Webster County on Tuesday.
