Titans End Skid to Pearl

by Ross Dellenger   Madison County Herald

Marcus Siler couldn't stop smiling. And he had a couple of good reasons why.  Not only did the Ridgeland boys' soccer team beat Pearl for the first time in school history, but Siler - a senior midfielder - scored a goal in the 2-0 win.  Standing on the Titans' muddy field with his jersey already ripped off in celebration, Siler's pearly whites shown right through the Tuesday night fog.  "I just can't stop smiling," he said. "It's crazy. Unbelievable man."

Siler's goal midway through the first half was immediately followed by Michael Brann's score, and Ridgeland (6-3-3, 1-0 Division 4-4A) stunned the four-time defending state champion Pirates in one of the biggest victories in the seven-year history of the program.

A brief scuffle between players ensued after the final whistle blew. Players cleared the benches for what looked like a full-out brawl until coaches and game official intervened.

When the fracas ended the party began. Ridgeland players, parents and fans celebrated into the misty night, chanting "We beat Pearl," "We beat Pearl."

The win over the seventh-ranked Pirates in this division opener bettered an already impressive start to the season for Ridgeland - a team that has never advanced to the playoffs.  "I really think this is the year," said Brann, ignoring the 40-degree temperatures and the damp surroundings to talk about this history-making event more.  Brann's goal came less than two minutes after Siler's 30-yard free-kick found the net. As good as Siler's score was, Brann's was even better.  The junior midfielder wrestled the ball away from the Pearl goalkeeper, who couldn't grasp the slick surface of the ball. Brann kicked the ball from under him and fired it into the net.  "I just pursued the ball, didn't stop and just kept firing," he said. "He never had control of the ball so I just took it."  Third-year coach Preston Nailor stopped watching after the Pearl keeper bent down to get the ball.

"I turned away ... and the next thing I knew the ball was in the back of the goal," Nailor said.

Siler's jaw-dropping goal got things started just seconds before. After a Pearl foul, he booted a free kick that sailed just over the goalkeeper's head and just under the cross bar, dropping smoothly into the net.  And to think, his coach wanted another player to take the shot.  "I actually called Marcus off the shot," Nailor said.  And he wasn't the only one. Teammate Cristian Eslava, who normally boots those kicks, also called Siler off the kick.  He didn't listen.  "I had a feeling I needed to take it," he said.  As the ball flew through the air, Siler admits to being scared. He thought he had booted it over the goal.

"I thought it went over again because I usually put them over," he said, still smiling, "but I guess good things happen like that."