First-place Rams blank Mustangs, eye up rematch with Leopards
Ringgold maintain its spot atop the standings and knocked Laurel Highlands out of contention for the Section 3-AAA title with a 5-0 victory over the visiting Mustangs on Tuesday night.
The Rams (7-3-2, 6-0-2) next face a key match at second-place Belle Vernon (10-1-1, 6-1-1) on Thursday with the winner all but clinching first place. The two played to a 0-0 draw in their first meeting on Sept. 19.
Ringgold’s other draw came at LH, 2-2, on Sept. 16, but the Rams dominated the rematch as Christian Egan led the way with a pair of goals.
“In fairness to them, we realized they had a couple key players out with injuries,” Ringgold coach Steve Persaud said of the Mustangs. “But tonight we played a complete game. Everyone contributed and we were able to control most of the game.”
Jeff Soles, Eli Schoedel and Jackson O’Connor also scored for the Rams, who built a 3-0 halftime lead for goalkeeper Travis Yahnite.
Laurel Highlands (8-4-1, 4-3-1) sits in third place, one-half game in front of Trinity (7-5, 4-4). The Mustangs, who have already clinched a playoff spot, host Albert Gallatin on Thursday.