Trio leads Madison soccer team to shot at a region championship
JACKSON — Midway through the Madison soccer game against Loretto on Tuesday, you could hear people in the crowd talking among themselves, asking how far Madison can go this season and what it can accomplish. For obvious reasons.
The Mustangs (15-2) scored three goals in the first 10 minutes and went into halftime ahead 6-0. With a little more than 23 minutes left, the game at the University of Memphis-Lambuth was called after Madison scored for a 9-0 lead.
It was the fourth consecutive game in which the Mustangs held their opponents scoreless. They have collectively outscored their opponents 95-9 this season.
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It helps that the team, which will host Scotts Hill on Thursday for the Region 6-A championship, has three of the state's top 20 goal-scorers.
"It good for us to have more than one person because a lot of teams know about their stats," said Madison coach Igor Luczensky. "If you only have one player, then teams stay on that person. Having three people makes it more difficult for the other team to mark one of them. ... We can create danger from all sides and angles."
Junior forward Donovan Pruitte, who had 19 goals and eight assists last season, recorded a hat trick and has extended his Madison season record of goals to 32 to go along with 10 assists.
He said the sting of last season's first-round exit from the playoffs pushed him through the offseason to get better.
I took my time in the offseason and I trained and trained to get better. ... After that loss we took in the first round all I want now is the state championship," Pruitte said. "It was our first year (playing together) because we didn't get to play my freshman year because of COVID-19 and we also didn't play that good. But this year we are going to get it."
Junior midfielder Braden Nye, who is second on the team with 21 goals and 12 assists, also had a hat trick. He said that last season's lack of experience seem to hamper them but that it's a different story this season.
"Now, we've been to the state tournament and know what it feels like, so it won't be a big surprise or anything crazy," Nye said. "This year we will be ready and take care of business when it comes times."
Sophomore striker Jack Young, who has 19 goals and 10 assists, scored a goal and said that he has never had more fun playing the sport than he has this season.
"The bond we've created this season," Young said. "Especially after losing last season, we've come together more this year and knew we had to work a lot harder and push each other every day."