Marion sweeps West Memphis in soccer

Patriots weather the weather to beat Blue Devils

By TYLER BENNETT

Marion School District

Patriot soccer weathered the evening storms and poured on the goals against the West Memphis Blue Devils last Tuesday. Both Marion teams brought the defensive pressure early and now having winning records in conference play. The Lady Patriots (3-3 overall, 2-1 5A East) scored ve goals in the rst half from Madison Bryant, Kiara Ledezma, Cheyenne Dotson, Charleigh Barnes and Gabrielle Gray. Gray’s goal was scored on a free kick from 40 yards out with just over 3 minutes left in the rst half.

West Memphis would eventually score near the end of the game, but not before Marion senior Nicole Mendez added one more Patriot goal near the midway point of the second half. The Lady Patriots are now tied for third place in the 5A East with Jonesboro.

The weather had a more pronounced effect in the boys game that followed, but the Patriots (5-0-1, 2-0-1) still made the most of the time they were given. Marion juniors Luke Kennedy and Dylan Pieri scored goals within 33 seconds of each other less than 6 minutes into the game.

Lighting halted play with 25 minutes left to go in the rst half, but Marion kept the intensity up when play resumed. Lucas Garza extended the Patriot lead at the 18-minute mark of the half and was followed by a second Pieri goal 5 minutes later.

The lighting returned at the halftime break, prompting ofcials to end the game with a 4-0 Patriot lead. The Patriots are currently second in the 5A East, but not far behind the conference-leading Batesville Pioneers.

Dylan Pieri (6) scored two of Marion’s four goals against the Blue Devils.

Photo by Londa Hamrick