Ryle reaches soccer state semis

Raiders to meet Henderson County next week

by Marc Hardin, Enquirer contributor

The Ryle boys' soccer team is back in the state tournament semifinals for the first time in five years following a 4-1 victory Wednesday over feisty Montgomery County in Union.

The Raiders (22-2-3) took command with three first-half goals in a 14-minute span by Jake Siemer and Tyrus Sciarra. Siemer, a junior midfielder, connected at the 33:21 mark for his fifth goal of the season. Sciarra scored twice in less than two minutes for his team-leading 27th and 28th goals.

"Them scoring in the first eight minutes was key," Montgomery County coach Nick Pannell said. "We have a good defense, but we're young. We only start three seniors and my keeper is a junior, so when they got the early lead, it magnified things."

Senior striker Cole Willoughby scored for Ryle with 1:18 to play. He and Sciarra both have scored four goals in two tournament games. Willoughby assisted on Sciarra's second goal Wednesday and has 18 goals and a team-best 18 assists on the season.

"I'm finishing well right now, and we're playing great as a team," Willoughby said. "This feels awesome to be going to the semifinals."

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