By Tom Lanigan

Special to the K-V Dispatch

The Central High School Chargers hosted Randolph-Henry High School varsity boys soccer team Monday evening in their first contest of season which ended in a 9–0 run-rule loss.

The Statesmen did an effective job keeping the Chargers limited in shots on goal, and kept the Chargers pinned on their side of the field much of the game. Statesmen coach Patrick Shay reflected on the game, saying, “I think we played well this evening, but we have Bluestone next. We are looking forward to that game.” Shay said he felt his players were ready to start the season, and he hopes to capitalize on the win.

Charger coach Janet Jackson said she has a very young team that sustained some injuries in a scrimmage this past weekend. “We have 11 freshman players and we suffered a few injuries this past weekend,” Jackson said. “These are the games you learn from, you take this loss and turn it around.”

The game was called 20 minutes into the second period when the Statesmen fired a shot past Chargers goalkeeper Colton Hinkle. “Hinkle was actually our lead player of the game, our loss could have been higher but Hinkle did a great job preventing goals,” Jackson said.

Shane Maloney and Chris Nichols led the Statesmen with two goals each. Caleb Chadwick, Jason Moorehead, Michael Nichols and Christian Pinchefsky scored a goal a piece.

Josh Brown and Michael Nichols had two assists each. Maloney and Brycen Parnell had an assist each. Goalie John Walker had two saves.

Randolph-Henry will return to its home field on Wednesday, when the team hosts Bluestone at 6:30 p.m.

The Chargers will travel to Prince Edward for a 6:30 p.m. game on Wednesday.