Central Magnet boys soccer team keeping it clean

The Central Magnet boys soccer team had a couple of close calls in the final minutes of Tuesday's 8-AA match at Cannon County.

No, the match wasn't in doubt. But the Tigers' scoreless streak was.

After a pair of scoring attempts by the Lions went off and over the crossbar, Central Magnet walked away with a 6-0 victory. And thus far a clean sheet for the season. Six games, six shutout wins.

After losing seven seniors and five starters off last year's Class A-AA state tournament squad, the quick start has been a bit of a pleasant surprise for Central Magnet (2-0 in 8-AA).

"It's definitely a little surprising," Central Magnet junior defender and team captain Elijah Barritt said. "Communication in the backfield has been a big reason. The fullbacks do a good job getting up and getting us in an attacking pace, but also falling back when we need."

Central Magnet went 18-3-1 a season ago, reaching the state quarterfinals before being edged by CPA 2-1.

The Tigers defense was solid in 2016, allowing 25 goals in 22 games. Only two starters returned in the backfield, but the score differential has gotten only better.

"We're on the right track," said Central Magnet keeper Nathan Clark, who has been responsible for all six clean sheets. "We have to keep on working as a team and working hard in practice, improving each and every game. Our midfield is talented and keeps us controlling the game."

Central Magnet has outscored its six opponents 22-0 this season, including three wins in a Gatlinburg tournament, a win over a solid Goodpasture squad and two victories over Class AAA teams Franklin County and Shelbyville.

"It's all about leadership," Central Magnet coach Ray Bennett said. "Between the two (Barritt and Clark), leadership has been a key."

Every soccer team enters a game wanting to hold its opponent scoreless. The current Tigers streak isn't deterring from the main objective, although it's hard not to start counting the consecutive clean sheets.

"Every game, we think clean sheet," Clark said. "We know if we do that, the offense will get us through."

Added Bennett, "Today we sat here before the game and said, 'This isn't the day we give up a goal. That's our mindset. It doesn't matter if you're winning 8-0 or 10-0, you don't want to give up a goal."

Big tests still await, including a county matchup against 7-AAA frontrunner Oakland on April 18 at Siegel Park. The Patriots are 5-0-2 and also have not allowed a goal this season.

"We always get up for that game," Barritt said. "That will let us know how we stack up with the best AAA team in the county."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.