HENDERSONVILLE — What’s been a remarkable season on the pitch for the Forrest Rockets this season came to an end against perennial state power Merrol Hyde in the Class A state sectional on Saturday afternoon in an 8-1 loss.
“Merrol Hyde is a very good soccer team. Their back line was excellent at reading the ball in the air and playing it so we could not get behind them. They were also excellent at using the width of their field for passing spacing,” Rocket coach Jason Ellis said.
After a back and forth battle to open Saturday’s sectional, Merrol Hyde jumped on the Rockets with two quick goals nearly 20 minutes into the match.
Forrest was able to get one goal on the board on the by a penalty kick off the toe of Hugo Pessler that Damian Hames drew in the box.
But Merrol Hyde was able to close the game and secure its trip to the Class A state tournament.
While Forrest’s postseason run ended in the state sectional, the achievements by this club can’t be ignored, led by the talented senior class.
“The senior class is a fantastic class. Although they were upset with the outcome I tried to put it in perspective for them. Three years ago, we would have never dreamed of making it this far. Our goal at the beginning of the season was to make it to the district championship. We made it and won it and then made it to the regional championship and then to sectionals. The work they put into the program for the last three years really paid off with the best soccer season in school history. They should hold their heads up and be extremely proud of all that they have accomplished,” Ellis said.