For the first time in Graves County High School history, the boys soccer team has made it to the state tournament after defeating rivaled Marshall County in a nail biting game, 2-1, Wednesday night.
After a long 18-5-1 season, the Golden Eagles have reached ultimate success. Starting the road to state, the boys beat Calloway County in the first game of the District Two soccer tournament 2-0. In the district championship game the boys faced Marshall County for the first time in the post-season. Making the All-District team were seniors Eric Vogt, Isaac Marrs, Caleb Pickens, Marco Flores and Ty Hendley. The Eagles would not let that loss keep them from reaching the ultimate goal. On Monday, the goal was to beat Tilghman. A goal that was reached in a 5-1 victory to send the boys to the regional championship.

With it being the second time in the post-season that the two teams met up, Marshall County had an edge as the game was being played on their field. During the regular season, the teams met twice, splitting the games. Graves won the first game at Graves back on Aug. 27, 3-2, and Marshall won the second game on Sept. 19, 4-1, when the game was played at Marshall. Graves proved the old saying that anything can happen once tournament time comes around to be true.

The game was close the whole night. As regulation came to an end, the score was tied 0-0. With the help of some penalty kicks, the Eagles flew higher than the Marshals and came out with a win. When asked about what it meant to be the first head coach to ever win a soccer regional championship at Graves County, Zach Sims said, “It really meant a lot. I have history here at Graves County and I’ve had family come through and play. I feel like I’ve given back, and to be a part of that means a lot. I’m so proud.”

Graves has accomplished more than just winning a regional tournament this year. The Eagles are also ranked number 11 in the state of Kentucky for defense and number 14 for margin leaders. As the Eagles hope to continue their successful season, the Eagles will take on Bowling Green, the winner of region four, in the first game of the 2013 boys soccer state tournament on Oct. 25 at Bowling Green.