Marion’s 2024 soccer season off and running

Patriots pick up a pair of wins in convincing fashion

By Chuck Livingston

Marion School District

Soccer season in Marion is off to a rousing start for the Patriot soccer clubs. The Marion girls made waves in their annual benefit scrimmage, setting the single-game scoring record in a 9-0 home victory over Lonoke last Thursday evening.

MHS officially opened its season on Monday night with a 5-0 non-conference victory at Beebe.

Marion senior all-state performer Cheyenne Dotson dazzled Lonoke in the scrimmage, scoring four times, while sophomore allconference performer Reese Goodwin added a pair of goals, while Thalia Garza, Patricia Lara, and Autumn Young also scored. Garza also registered a pair of assists, while Dotson added one to earn Player of the Game honors.

The Marion defense also had its way with Lonoke, not allowing the Jackrabbits to take a single shot on goal, and senior goalkeeper Kelby Lassiter finished with her first clean sheet of the 2024 season.

Marion took its show on the road Monday night, blasting Beebe by five goals, as Goodwin scored three times, and Dotson found the back of the net twice.

Sophomore Abby Jackson earned Player of the Match honors at Beebe by “absolutely shutting down their offense,” said Coach Chris Paslay.

Marion's boys team topped Lonoke 3-1 in the scrimmage last week.

Southern Bancorp Stadium will host the Marion Soccer Showcase on Friday and Saturday, with the Lady Patriots playing Jonesboro Westside at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, and the Lady Pats continue their run on Saturday, when they play Fort Smith Northside at 9 a.m., and Brookland at 4 p.m.

Marion's boys will participate in the Brookland Tournament on Saturday when the Patriots play Brookland at 11 a.m., and Greene County Tech at 2 p.m.