24th annual soggy soccer invitational

Marshall County
Soccer Association
hosts 24th annual
invitational tourney

By Rick Burres
Tribune-Courier Sports Reporter
Rburres@tribunecourier.com

DRAFFENVILLE – The 24th annual Kentucky Lake Invitational Soccer Tournament, hosted by the Marshall County Soccer Association, was played in the rain and mud Saturday and Sunday at Mike Miller Park and Calvert City Park.

The tournament drew 56 teams from four states despite the muddy playing fields and rain all day Sunday.

Tournament director Kieth Edwards, of Gilbertsville, was pleased with the turn out and good attitudes of all participants.

“The rain hurt us a little but everyone who came, came willing to play in the rain,” Edwards said. “Everyone has just been super.”

There was no rain on Saturday but players had to contend with standing water and mud from several days worth of prior rain.

The field conditions created a challenge for players as they slip-slided their way toward victory or defeat.

Sunday was a different story.

It rained all day.

The Marshall County U18 girls’ team earned a shot at the runner-up title when officials terminated regular play and went to penalty kicks to decide the outcome of the game.

Tournament officials became concerned about player safety because of the amount of rain and continuing deterioration of playing field conditions.