Author: Jonathan Herrmann
Source: News-Herald
Source: News-Herald
Lenoir City soccer coach Jessee Harris did not expect his team to be sitting at 2-4-2 eight games into the season, nor did he expect to be happy with a tie.
However, that is what happened Monday night when the Panthers came away with a 0-0 draw against Webb School, 5-0-1.
"I don't think any coach would be pleased with a tie, but tonight I am," he said. "This is the first game this season that they all played with heart and they all played a full 80 minute game and they kept digging and we tied a very, very good team."
Much of the season Lenoir City's stand out has been its keeper, Marco Mejia.
"He's definitely keeping us in some games," Harris said. "He made three saves tonight that I think most goalies it would have been a goal and we'd be losing 3-0.
"He's just an athlete and he is so deceptive. I think his small stature makes these saves look even more spectacular."
Mejia is also one of the team's better field players.
"If we get in a pinch we can comfortably drop it back to him and no one is worried."
The difficult season has put a strain on many of Lenoir City's players, leading to a number of them to turn in their equipment and leave the team.
In part, this goes back to a lightening-shortened 2-1 loss to Cleveland High School.
During a weather delay Harris was unhappy with the demeanor of many of his players.
"There were some guys that were just hamming it up and joking," he said. "We (Harris and assistant coach Angie Riner) gave them a pretty good lecture on the way home.
"I basically said, 'guys, if you're not committed then you need to go ahead and turn your stuff in.' I also put some guys on the bench and moved some people around. I think I hurt some feelings and they responded by quitting."
Harris doesn't see the players quitting as a difficulty to the team
"It really just provides solutions, because that's who is going to play that position now, because they want it."
Lenoir City travels to William Blount Wednesday night before playing in a weekend tournament.
However, that is what happened Monday night when the Panthers came away with a 0-0 draw against Webb School, 5-0-1.
"I don't think any coach would be pleased with a tie, but tonight I am," he said. "This is the first game this season that they all played with heart and they all played a full 80 minute game and they kept digging and we tied a very, very good team."
Much of the season Lenoir City's stand out has been its keeper, Marco Mejia.
"He's definitely keeping us in some games," Harris said. "He made three saves tonight that I think most goalies it would have been a goal and we'd be losing 3-0.
"He's just an athlete and he is so deceptive. I think his small stature makes these saves look even more spectacular."
Mejia is also one of the team's better field players.
"If we get in a pinch we can comfortably drop it back to him and no one is worried."
The difficult season has put a strain on many of Lenoir City's players, leading to a number of them to turn in their equipment and leave the team.
In part, this goes back to a lightening-shortened 2-1 loss to Cleveland High School.
During a weather delay Harris was unhappy with the demeanor of many of his players.
"There were some guys that were just hamming it up and joking," he said. "We (Harris and assistant coach Angie Riner) gave them a pretty good lecture on the way home.
"I basically said, 'guys, if you're not committed then you need to go ahead and turn your stuff in.' I also put some guys on the bench and moved some people around. I think I hurt some feelings and they responded by quitting."
Harris doesn't see the players quitting as a difficulty to the team
"It really just provides solutions, because that's who is going to play that position now, because they want it."
Lenoir City travels to William Blount Wednesday night before playing in a weekend tournament.
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