Jump Start: Somerset leaps over Cougars in All "A" semis

Photo by Nico Pascarella: Somerset senior Andrew Tomlinson (5) passes the ball down the field during the Jumpers' 8-0 win over Somerset Christian on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.

SOMERSET - Starting off the season with a crosstown rivalry with a spot in the All "A" regional final hanging in the balance? For the defending All "A" regional champs Somerset and Somerset Christian, who saw former head coach Ben Stein return to the sidelines, they were all ready for the challenge at hand. Despite both schools suffering losses from last season, Somerset still had the senior scoring duo of Tyson Absher and Andrew Tomlinson at their disposal. The Cougars, despite featuring senior goalkeeper Gavin Lewis in net, were at a severe disadvantage at Clara Morrow Field on Tuesday and within the first 10 minutes, the Jumpers were out in front 4-0. Somerset then sprinted to an 8-0 lead at the break, which due to the new KHSAA rules, activated the mercy rule and gave the Jumpers the season-opening victory. Head coach Tyler Gillum was ecstatic following the win.

"Anytime you get a shutout win, especially against a crosstown rival, it is wonderful. To advance in the All "A" tournament feels great. First game pressures you know," he explained.

The Jumpers were missing senior goalkeeper Landen Lonesky in net, who was sitting out the first of two games due to a red card he was issued in last year's regional title game. Subbing in for the senior was Carson Beattie.

Both teams were battling for control of the ball early on, but it was the home team at Clara Morrow who went on the attack first. Absher was able to get a touch on the ball near the net in the seventh minute, with a between-the-legs strike past Lewis in the goal lightly traveling into the back of the net for the first goal of the season. Go figure for the senior who had 34 goals last season. Tomlinson about matched his senior teammate just two minutes after, with his hard strike deflecting off a Somerset Christian defender. Unfortunately for the Cougars, that deflection went past the goalkeeper for an own goal, giving Somerset a 2-0 edge.

Absher almost got his second goal in the same minute, as he came close to netting a reverse kick that sailed just slightly above the net. Tomlinson wouldn't let his second attempt go without a goal being scored, as the senior found the mark near the top of the box past a diving goalkeeper, this giving the Jumpers' a 3-0 advantage. He didn't take long to add goal number two of the evening, as he was fouled near the box to earn a penalty kick. His shot went into the right side of the net for a four-goal Somerset lead.

Two more attempts from Tomlinson for his hat trick, in the 14th and 17th minutes, were missed as Lewis was deflecting a ton of shots in an attempt to keep the Cougars in the contest. Tomlinson's hat trick didn't have to wait much longer though, as a corner kick in the 20th minute went straight into the head of the senior, who had a brilliant header past the goalkeeper for a third goal that increased the Somerset lead to 5-0.

Absher had his second goal just three minutes later, assisted by who else than Tomlinson, on a breakaway attempt that increased the Jumpers' lead to 6-0 in a game that was on the verge of being a blowout. Tyson Brashears joined in on the fun in the 26th minute, as he too had a breakaway for the seventh Somerset goal of the evening. Also in the same minute, the reigning CJ Player of the Year got some time in the net, as Absher was subbed in as the goalkeeper for the remainder of the half, something that coach Gillum noted the senior had been trying to do for years.

Lewis had another save in the 34th minute as the senior did everything he could to keep the Cougars in the contest. Noah West became the fourth Briar Jumper to score in the 36th minute, as he caught a pass from Eli Eastham and managed to hit a sliding shot for the score, giving the home team an 8-0 lead. A few minutes later, and that 8-0 lead went final at the half as Somerset was able to protect their home field and advance on to the regional All "A" finals courtesy of an 8-0 win over Somerset Christian. Coach Gillum was very pleased with the all-around effort of his squad following the game.

"We passed well, we controlled the tempo of the game, we had assists on a majority of our goals in the contest. It was good, smart and controlled soccer. We did everything we wanted to do and then some, it was a good start to the season," he remarked.

Somerset moves to 1-0 and will face off against Corbin on the road on Thursday.

Somerset Christian begins the season 0-1 and will play their first home game of the season on Thursday against Berea.

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