Losses sometimes create teaching moments for coaches and players. Since dropping a district game to Trigg County on August 29th, Lyon County has won four straight games by a total score of 25-5. The latest win came Thursday as the Lyons beat Caldwell County 5-1 in Eddyville.
While no longer district rivals, the contest was physical and chippy early. Caldwell County struck first when Boyce Nichols boomed in a free kick from 40 yards out, finding the top of the net.
Lyon County answered within the next minute when Max Wadlington cleaned up a missed shot in front of the net and somehow snuck it in to tie the game at 1-1.
The game turned when a Caldwell County player was issued a red card for arguing a foul assessed in the goal box. This came just minutes after the game refs admonished both coaches about excessive chatter toward the officials. Bryson Penn knocked home the penalty kick to give Lyon a 2-1 lead.
The Tigers were forced to play a man down for the remaining 56 minutes due to the red card. Penn found the back of the net just before halftime for a 3-1 lead.
Caldwell County was content to be defensive in the second half while Lyon County played possession soccer. Austin Duff scored off a pass from Penn with 29 minutes left, and Penn rounded out the scoring by completing the hat trick with 18 minutes left. Penn came into the contest as the second leading scorer in the state and has 32 goals in 10 games.
Jack Walker had nine saves in goal for the Lyons, who improved to 7-3 on the season. Lyon County gets another shot at Trigg County Monday when they play the Wildcats in Cadiz.
Caldwell County (3-5) has dropped three straight games and will host Murray Saturday.