After giving up an early goal to the visiting Russellville Panthers last Tuesday evening, the Cougar varsity soccer team came roaring back with eight unanswered goals, including three from senior Jonathan Jones, to take an 8-1 win over their district foe.

The Cougars were coming off a pair of losses over the weekend in the Christian County, Colonel Showcase that had halted a five-game winning streak. They improved their overall record to 6-6-2, 4-2 in the region and 3-2 in the district.

On Thursday, they moved that district record to 4-2 with a 4-0 victory at Muhlenberg South. That puts them in the number-two district slot behind undefeated (4-0) Franklin Simpson. With just two more district games remaining they are in good shape for the district tournament which will be held at Grayson County beginning October 20.

Despite heavy pressure from the Cougars in the opening minutes, the Panthers were the first to score. Less than five minutes into the game, Parker Roland took a pass from Cameron Blythe and put a ball past goalie J. T. Burns, who was in the nets in place of regular starter Christian Higdon.

The Cougars had a number of chances over the next few minutes, but continued to be frustrated by Panther goalie Charleston Sydnor. In the 17th minute, senior Tyler Cockriel was dragged down in the penalty area, giving the Cougars a penalty kick. Senior Jacob Boone, who was perfect on his penalty kicks last season, was elected to take the shot. This time, Sydnor came out on top as he turned aside Boone’s shot.

A couple of minutes later the Cougars finally broke through with the tying goal and the flood gates opened. Junior Wes Trail put a ball through behind the Panther defense and Jones outran two defenders to the ball, dribbled in and beat Sydnor to make it 1-1.

In the 23rd minute the Cougars were applying tremendous pressure in the Panther’s corner when Jones sent a pass into the middle to Cockriel, who put a rocket past Sydnor to put the Cougars on top for good, 2-1.

The Cougars were having great success putting through balls in on goal and beating the defense to them for shots, though several of them resulted in offside calls. But in the 27th minute, junior Steven Jones, Jonathan’s little brother, got to a through ball cleanly and took it in for a goal that made it 3-1.

With about three minutes left in the half, Boone picked up a goal to make up for the one he missed on the penalty kick. Taking the ball about 30 yards out, he dribbled through a pair of Panther defenders and shot a left-footer into the net to make it 4-1 at the half.

Six minutes into the second half, Trail made a nice play by putting a ball into the corner behind the defense, then going and getting it himself. His crossing pass went right in front of the Panther goal, where it was kicked around a few times before Cockriel controlled it and put a shot into the net for his second goal to make it 5-1.

In the 54th minute, Boone drew an assist on Steven Jones’ second goal when Jones took a pass and left-footed the ball in to make it 6-1.

The last two goals went to Jonathan Jones. The first came in the 60th minute off an assist from his brother Steven to make it 7-1.

The final goal of the night was an end-to-end beauty. Josh Gilkey won a loose ball deep in the Cougar end of the field and put a long pass ahead to Trail on the right side. Trail then crossed the ball to Jones who dribbled in closer and put the ball into the net to make it 8-1.

The Cougars, already the winningest team in Cougars soccer history, will host Union County on Tuesday, September 30 beginning at 5:30 p.m. It will be Senior Night and the ceremonies will be held at the conclusion of the varsity match.