BELLEVILLE - The Raiders gave up two goals with less than four minutes remaining in the first half and were unable to recover against McFarland dropping a WIAA Division 3 sectional semifinal to the Spartans 2-1 Thursday, Oct. 24.
Dillon Ballentine and Sam Shackett did the damage for the Spartans with goals separated by fewer than three minutes. With the win, McFarland moves on to the sectional finals on Friday, Oct. 25.
"Their goals were very good goals," Sugar River coach Richard Sanders said. "There were no mental breakdowns, just some really good plays. Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way."
Dylan Paris scored early in the second half for the Raiders (15-6-2) to pull within one. According to Sanders, McFarland only got past midfield four times in the second half.
"We really dominated the second half but other than Paris's we couldn't put one through the goal," Sanders said.
"Tonight we saw two really good passing teams, it was really pretty soccer. It looked like two college teams out there."
Dillon Ballentine and Sam Shackett did the damage for the Spartans with goals separated by fewer than three minutes. With the win, McFarland moves on to the sectional finals on Friday, Oct. 25.
"Their goals were very good goals," Sugar River coach Richard Sanders said. "There were no mental breakdowns, just some really good plays. Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way."
Dylan Paris scored early in the second half for the Raiders (15-6-2) to pull within one. According to Sanders, McFarland only got past midfield four times in the second half.
"We really dominated the second half but other than Paris's we couldn't put one through the goal," Sanders said.
"Tonight we saw two really good passing teams, it was really pretty soccer. It looked like two college teams out there."
