MARYVILLE – Maryville beat the heat and picked up a much-needed result against unbeaten Rhodes here Tuesday afternoon when the teams played to a 0-0 draw.
Rhodes outshot the host Scots 14-5 and held possession for 55 percent of the time. Shots on goal also favored the Lynx by a 5-1 margin, and Rhodes worked its way to eight corner kicks compared to Maryville's three. The Lynx were whistled for eight fouls to just three for the Scots.
But the Scots needed a result and they dug in their heels and got one, improving to 0-4-3 on the season. Rhodes is now 3-0-3.
"The kids love to play and they want to play, but in the early season you're trying to get in as many games as you can and get yourself in shape," Maryville head coach
Pepe Fernandez said. "You come off a weekend of travel and then play a 2 o'clock kickoff, it's very difficult on the players.
"All of that said, to get a result out of this and come away with a tie is a fair result. They had a couple of chances – we didn't create a lot in the second half but that was just tired legs. I was happy with how hard the kids battled and I know they are looking forward to cooler weather this weekend."
Craig McIlwraith fired Maryville's lone shot on net, with additional shot attempts from
Ndubueze Henry,
Jorge Graniel,
Walker Settles and
Jonathan Meystrik.
Mykal Manfred posted his first shutout of the season and sixth of his career while making five saves.
The Scots are set for their Collegiate Conference of the South opener Saturday at home against LaGrange. Kickoff is 3 p.m. Maryville then hosts Greensboro on Sunday at 2 p.m. in another nonconference affair.
