Mineral Area men seal opener with late goals

PARK HILLS – Chalon Domian substituted into the Mineral Area lineup at forward, and became a crucial factor in three separate scoring sequences on Saturday.

The returning sophomore tallied a goal and assist, and drew an important foul on another powerful run down the middle after the Cardinals briefly surrendered the lead.

Mineral Area forward Chalon Domian (22) is fouled on a run during during second half men’s soccer action on Saturday in Park Hills.

Reece Rawlings capitalized on a tiebreaking free kick in the 76th minute, and Mineral Area defeated Itawamba 3-1 during its men’s soccer season debut

Orran Mushet also scored for the Cardinals, who narrowly outshot the Indians 12-11 overall. Winning keeper Josh Wilson made four saves on five shots faced.

The 2023 starting lineup was loaded with new faces after Mineral Area bid farewell to all five double-digit scorers from last season plus a former all-American goalie.

Domian is among just a handful of returners this season, and showed his strength in the 24th minute while breaking past one defender and dribbling through an attempted tackle inside the box.

He cut toward the left edge before guiding a sliding pass toward a trailing Mushet, who deposited the ball into an open cage for a 1-0 advantage.

Mineral Area forward Orran Mushet (6) tries to work past Itawamba defender Josh Hodgson (4) during first half men’s soccer action on Saturday in Park Hills.

Mineral Area (1-0) controlled a large majority of previous action. Shay Carey redirected a cross from Chris Williamson past the near post, and Leo Mendez Gonzalez narrowly missed wide on a free kick.

Wilson faced his first test on a long shot – the first of the match from Itawamba – in the 23rd minute, and was soon rewarded with a lead.

The Indians sought an equalizer before halftime, but Josh Hodgson shanked a second chance wide after a free kick from Gage Lashlee caromed off a four-man wall.

Mineral Area keeper Josh Wilson makes a save during during first half men’s soccer action against Itawamba on Saturday in Park Hills.

Cardinals midfielder Chase Corbin headed a long ball from danger before reaching its intended target, and Cardinals dodged a corner kick in the opening moments of the second half.

Itawamba (0-2) played for the second time in two days, and ultimately returned to northeastern Mississippi with an empty trip after falling to St. Charles 2-1 on Friday.

Kyle Nicholls and Tom Walton could not convert on crosses while trying to increase the MAC lead, and scoring opportunities increased significantly for the visitors beyond intermission.

Mineral Area forward Tom Walton (21) tries to control a header during second half men’s soccer action against Itawamba on Saturday in Park Hills

Luke Dearsley rattled the crossbar for the Indians from about 30 yards out, but a similar scenario would unfold when Walters tied the contest in the 73rd minute.

The Cardinals picked up a series of fouls, then failed to play a second ball that safely bounded toward Walters, whose long strike glanced off a player in front and found the back of the net.

Domian delivered an aggressive response less than three minutes later, and was bumped off his path in a crowd of defenders just outside the 18-yard line.

Rawlings stepped into the resulting free kick, and received a favorable bounce off the crossbar that fell behind back-up keeper William Blake to regain a 2-1 edge.

Mineral Area forward Mo Thetsane tries to maintain possession through a tackle and foul by Itawamba midfielder Osvaldo Gonzalez (12) during second half men’s soccer action on Saturday in Park Hills.

Domian further sealed the victory in the 82nd minute by fending off the last defender near the goal line after Blake vacated his position to charge a long ball from Carey in vain.

Wilson made arguably his best of four saves in the closing moments, lunging left to knock down a drive from Kyle Morris after defender Lucas Clarke had slipped down.

Domian, Clarke and Corbin were each assessed yellow cards for MAC, while Ethan Scott, Owen Anforth and Eli Kitchens were likewise booked for Itawamba.

The Cardinals were bolstered by a wave of subs with about 20 minutes remaining. Mo Thetsane, a native of Lesotho, maintained possession against three Indians along the sideline before drawing a foul.

Mineral Area braced for less comfortable conditions for a Sunday contest against South Suburban. The kickoff was moved up to noon with forecast temperatures in the upper 90s.

Mineral Area midfielder Shay Carey settles possession during first half men’s soccer action against Itawamba on Saturday in Park Hills.

Mineral Area forward Alex Wilkinson (28) has a shot blocked out for a corner by Itawamba defender Aiden Belk (6) during second half men’s soccer action on Saturday in Park Hills.

Mineral Area defender Reece Rawlings scores on a free kick during second half men’s soccer action against Itawamba on Saturday in Park Hills.

Itawamba midfielder Braden Walters celebrates with teammate McKhi Castro after scoring a goal during second half men’s soccer action against Mineral Area on Saturday in Park Hills.

Mineral Area midfielder Kyle Nicholls (10) dribbles past Itawamba defender Crosse Lindsay (18) during second half men’s soccer action on Saturday in Park Hills.