JC tops Central for ninth victory (10/07/05)

MUNCIE — Losing 40 goals to graduation seemed a tough thing to overcome. But the Patriots have done it.

Jay County’s boys soccer team won its ninth game Thursday, shutting out the Muncie Central Bearcats 2-0.

Despite losing 22 and 18 goals respectively from 2004 seniors Trent Bailey and Chad Keen, the team has surpassed last season’s win total. The Patriots are 9-5-1 — compared to 8-8-1 in 2004 — and can extend their win total when they open sectional action at Blackford Monday against the Bellmont Braves.

Central and Jay County played to a scoreless tie in the first half, but Mason Shreve made sure the second would not be the same.

Shreve tallied the first Patriot goal 13 minutes after the intermission. He took a pass near the right post from Nic Fejza and scored to the top right corner of the net.

The junior was in on the second score as well as his shot bounced off a defender. Vlady Bjelica was their to clean it up, knocking the rebound into a wide open net.

The second-half scores broke open a defensive game in which their were just six shots on goal. Jay County accounted for four of those, with Bjelica finishing with two.

Central managed just two shots, both of which were saved by Derek Mills.

The Patriots have closed the regular season on a 3-0-1 run with victories over Anderson Highland, Muncie Southside and Central. The tie came against undefeated Marion Lakeview Christian.[[In-content Ad]]