Reach for the 'Lone'sky: Somerset downs Pulaski for season sweep

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior goalkeeper Landen Lonesky (center) saves a shot attempt while being ran into by Pulaski County senior Julio Morales (10) during the Jumpers' 3-1 win over the Maroons on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.

SOMERSET - The last time the Somerset Briar Jumpers and the Pulaski County Maroons got together, it was an offensive battle between the two schools, with Somerset coming away with a narrow 3-2 win. However, Tuesday's night edition of the rivalry was at the home of the Maroons, with Somerset usually struggling at that field (case in point last year in a 1-0 loss to Pulaski).

Defense, defense, defense. That was the name of the game on Tuesday, at least through the first 60 minutes, with only one goal being scored. A timely goal by the Maroons evened things up soon after, but it was Somerset that got the last laugh, scoring two goals in the final 11 minutes of the contest to defeat their rival 3-1 and earn their first regular season sweep of Pulaski in a few seasons.

An early yellow card was almost issued in the third minute, as Julio Morales ran into Landen Lonesky in the box, but play was allowed to continue. Hunter Black got the first shot attempt of the game in the fifth minute, but his shot sailed over the top of the goal. Somerset then became the first team to strike a minute after, with Andrew Tomlinson receiving a pass following a trick play on a free kick to free the senior up, giving the Jumpers the quick 1-0 edge.

Defense ruled most of the remainder of the half, however. Tomlinson and Eli Eastham had several close attempts in the 13th minute that were just barely off their marks. A perfect cross by Bryson Church in the 18th minute almost resulted in a goal from Tyson Absher, although his shot went over the goal. Lonesky almost set up a goal from Absher two minutes later following a great goal kick, however it was saved by Keegan Keith in net.

Lonesky really showed his clutch gene in the 28th minute, as he was able to deflect away a penalty kick from Ethan DaSilva and immediately tip a follow up shot away by Owen Lewis. Head coach of the Jumpers Tyler Gillum was very proud of his senior goalkeeper following the contest.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County freshman Ethan DaSilva (12) attempts to keep possession of the ball away from Somerset senior Aidan Tucker (8) during the Maroons' loss to the Jumpers on Tuesday.

"Landen is just one of those special talents, about as coachable a kid as you could ask for. He's extremely humble and one of the hardest working kids I've had the pleasure of working with, and I've coached him since sixth grade. I'm so proud of the player and young man that he has turned into," he explained.

A free kick from Tomlinson in the 29th minute hit the top crossbar and bounced away from the goal. More saves by both Lonesky and Keith followed over the final 10 minutes, with neither team able to get a score to get across as the Jumpers headed into the break with the narrow 1-0 lead.

Somerset had a legitimate gripe in the 43rd minute, as a potential foul was not called following a shot attempt from Tomlinson. Absher came close to breaking the game open in the 50th minute, but his shot bounced off the crossbar as well. More close attempts for the Maroons were deflected away by Lonesky in the 59th minute, but it seemed just a matter of time before one would get through. That was the case just three minutes later, as Leyton Bramble got a piece of the ball with a header that managed to get by Lonesky, tying the game up 1-1 in the process.

This game had draw written all over it, before Somerset's offense finally got energized in the 65th minute by a cross from Kean Taylor that almost resulted in the first goal of the evening from Absher. The senior desperately wanted that goal and got it just four minutes later, as he scored off a deflection for the 2-1 Somerset lead.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior Andrew Tomlinson takes a penalty kick during the second half of the contest between the Briar Jumpers and the Pulaski County Maroons on Tuesday night.

Morales got called for a yellow card in the 72nd minute, sending the leading goal scorer for the Maroons to the bench for a spell. The Jumpers got the separation on the scoreboard that they wanted a minute later, as a Pulaski player was called for a hand ball in the box, awarding the visitors a penalty kick. Tomlinson was the one to take the shot, with it sailing into the back of the net for a 3-1 lead for his team. That was all Somerset needed as well, as they played solid defense for the remaining seven minutes and change to take home the 3-1 victory over their rivals. Coach Gillum was, understandably, ecstatic following the win.

"This field is extremely difficult for us to win on, so the fact we finally got one here was really big for us. We are still growing, but we took steps in the right direction tonight. They had some looks I really didn't like them to get, we had some looks that didn't go down, but hey it is a rivalry game against Pulaski, so of course it is going to be a nail-biter," he stated.

Somerset improves to 7-2 with the win and improves to 3-0 in district play. They will next travel to East Jessamine to take on the Jaguars on Thursday.

Pulaski falls to 5-3 and finishes 2-2 in district play. The Maroons will play another crosstown game on Thursday, as they will travel to Somerset Christian to take on the Cougars.

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