McGraw, Mason Eaton getting ready to pass the ball. (Camilo Fredes/Cortland Voice).
With the McGraw Eagles coming out and taking complete control of the game, they were able to come up with a 5-1 victory against Otselic Valley under the rain.
As soon as the starting whistle blew, the Eagles began to press on the midfield in order to take over the game. Then five minutes into the first half, junior forward Caleb Knickerbocker scored the first goal of the day off an assists from sophomore midfielder Jackson Card.
Then with just a few minutes left in the first half, Card provided another assist. This time for freshman forward, Jackson Pitcher. Just a about three minutes later with 9:43 left in the first half, junior Mason Eaton placed the ball in the back of the net to make it 3-0 before halftime.
"We already played them once so that helped," said McGraw head coach Jamey Crumb. "We knew we had to get it quick in the middle and get it wide. We switched up our line-up a little bit. We had one of our seniors (Evan Ignatowski) back, who hasn't been playing. He is real fast, so he was up top a little bit so we can put people in the back."
McGraw controlling the ball in the midfield. (Camilo Fredes/Cortland Voice).
With the eagles completely dominating the whole first half, they came out in the second ready to do the same. With Card striking into the right side of the goal, making it 4-0 and giving the Eagles a comfortable lead forty seconds into the second half.
With there being plenty of time going forward, Otselic Valley began to push the Eagles back. However, the Eagles kept their composure defensively until Otselic Valley senior, Carter Smith made it 4-1 with there still being time on the clock (16:42).
However, Otselic Valley were not able to get into McGraw's box for the rest of the game.
Card then landed the finishing blow with two minutes left, making it 5-1. Card ended the game with a total of two goals and two assists.
The Eagles are now 5-2 overall and are looking for a win against Madison at home this Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in preparation for their rivalry game against Cincinnatus on Saturday at SUNY Cortland.
