Diaz scores two goals, Storm falls to Falcons

Friday, August 29, 2008

MORTONS GAP — Hopkins County Central’s Carlos Diaz scored two goals for the Storm on Thursday evening, but the team could not muster any more offensive production as the team lost 4-2 to Fort Campbell.

Central appeared to be on its way to its first victory of the season as Diaz scored just three minutes into the game, taking a 1-0 advantage, but the team struggled offensively as the game continued.

After the game Diaz, a foreign-exchange student from Venezuela, described the goal.

“I received the ball and I dribbled it in the midfield,” he said. “I passed to Cody Heady and he returned the pass. I shoot hard and the goalkeeper couldn’t control the ball.”

Offensive opportunities did not come as easy for the Storm, however, as the game progressed.

Storm co-coach Charlie Chinn said Fort Campbell’s second-half game plan slowed Central’s offense.

“We didn’t get as many opportunities (in the second half),” he said. “They just made a really good defensive adjustment and kept a couple extra guys back.”

The teams entered halftime tied at 1-1. Diaz, playing in just his second game of the season, once again scored early in the half to give the Storm the lead, but the goal would be the team’s last.

Diaz’s second goal came two minutes into the second half when he nailed one through the legs of the Falcons’ goalkeeper.

Chinn said he’s glad to have Diaz join the team, but the players are still working with his different play.

“We’re having to adjust to his style,” Chinn said. “It’s a South American style that he plays. He’s really talented, got a big foot, and he tries hard. He’s going to be really good. We just have to learn to play with him a little better.”

After Diaz’s second goal, Fort Campbell scored three unanswered to finish the game’s scoring.

Although goalie Josh Riley surrendered three second-half goals, Chinn said he’s showing a lot of progress in just his second-year of soccer.

“He’s made a bunch of stops this year,” Chinn said. “He’s been doing a really good job. It’s just when you’re making the stops it’s easier to play.

“By the end of the season he’s going to be one of the best goalies around so I’m not down on him.”

Central and Fort Campbell were knotted 2-2 with 13 minutes remaining, but the Falcons’ Mike Massie scored twice down the stretch to put the game out of reach.

Chinn said he was proud of the boys’ effort, but the team will have to continue to work on executing throughout the entire game.

“We’ve got to learn how to finish off games and win, but we’ll do it because we’re good kids and we’re trying hard.”

Central will look to get its first win of the season 7 p.m. Tuesday when the Storm visits Christian County.