So. Fulton holds off Fannett-Metal, 2-1 in boys soccer

Southern Fulton did a good job of neutralizing the area's top scorer, Mikell McGee of Fannett-Metal.

At the other end, the Tigers did not do as well holding down SF's top player, Chase Varner.

The result was a 2-1 victory for the Indians in a SIdeling Hill League boys soccer game Friday afternoon.

Varner scored both of his team's goals, including the game-winner with 23:19 left to play, while McGee was held to an assist.

"Both times Chase was left open, he scored," F-M coach Greg Best said. "That was a really good shot he hit on the second one."

In the first half, Varner took a pass from Benjy Voight and looped a shot into the net. After the Tigers (4-5, 2-4 SHL) scored when Wyatt Thorne headed in a corner kick from McGee, Varner struck a low hard shot that he slotted just inside the right post for his 10th goal.

The Indians (5-4, 4-2 SHL) had several other chances to finish Fannett-Metal off, but couldn't get another ball past keeper Colby Adams, who made several top-notch saves in the first half.

Meanwhile, McGee had trouble getting touches for the Tigers.

"Other teams usually put their best defender on him, and we have trouble getting it to him at times," Best said.

SF coach Scott Varner said, "We usually play a flat back four, but we went with a stopper and put Jacob Silver back at sweeper. He played around the 18 and we told him not to let McGee get behind him on a through ball or one over the top. And we have two good midfielders in Benjy and Cam (McCray) who eat up a lot of balls."

"I just wasn't going to let him get behind me," Silver said. "The midfield played really well and made it easier for me."

McGee, who has 18 goals, did hit the crossbar with a first-half shot.

"We had two tough losses this week," Best said. "We played hard, but we're just not getting those breaks you need."