CAMDEN — The Preble Shawnee boys soccer team split a pair of games earlier this week.

They lost to Dixie 5-2 on Monday, Oct. 10, but rebounded on Tuesday, Oct. 11, to beat Madison 2-1.

Against Dixie, Shawnee got off to a great start in the first two minutes, as Tyler Blankenship had a perfect pass to Cody Clevenger who found the back of the net for the first goal of the contest.

Dixie tied up the score at 1-1, 11 minutes later. With nine minutes left in the first half, Dixie put in another goal, making it 2-1 at the half.

Austin Fields had eight saves in the first half for the Arrows.

Dixie came out strong in the second half, with Fields having to save three shots on goal in the first three minutes. The Arrows tied the score in the 28th minute with a penalty kick from Clevenger.

Unfortunately, the Greyhounds amassed three more goals in the latter part of the second half to seal the game as a loss for Shawnee. Fields had 16 total saves.

“It was a disappointing loss, after playing hard at the start with a score in the first minute,” said Shawnee coach Jeff Clevenger. “We lost our focus in the second half and allowed them to overpower us as the game continued. Once they started scoring more, the boys let it get in their heads and it affected how they played the rest of the game. We need to work on staying focused regardless of the score or the calls being made.”

The game against Madison was hotly contested. Preble Shawnee only had eight shots on goal for the night, compared to Madison’s 15.

Clevenger, Luke Feck, Camron Neal and Logan Carter took shots for Shawnee. Madison scored the first goal 15 minutes into the game, then, with less than five minutes left, fouled a Preble Shawneee player in the box. Feck took the penalty kick for the Arrows and tied the score up 1-1.

Fields had 10 saves in the first half.

The second half was even more spirited for Shawnee defensively, as Fields only had to make four saves. At the 15 minute mark, Neal scored, putting the Arrows ahead, 2-1. The Shawnee defense was able to hold on to the lead, giving the Arrows the victory.

“Tonight was a big win for us,” said coach Clevenger. “Tonight was Senior Night as their last home game, and they laid it all on the line. I would assume that Madison fully expected an easy win, but they didn’t find it tonight. The boys finally realized that playing at their best is how you win. Attitude and staying focused is everything.”

Recognized for their final home game were seniors Blankenship, Carter, Neal, Trevor Dunn, Nick Schraub, and Dwight Wilt.

With an overall 6-8-1 record, Preble Shawnee stands 4-5 in the Southwestern Buckeye League’s Buckeye Division. They were scheduled to play their final regular season match on Thursday, Oct. 13, against Milton-Union. The Arrows will play in the Division III Dayton 5 Sectional Tournament on Monday, Oct. 17, against Catholic Central.