Register staff report
RICHMOND —
Madison Central coach Jeremy Anderson decided to move Austin McAlister from midfield to forward for Tuesday’s showdown with No. 11 Tates Creek in Lexington.
McAlister scored three first-half goals as the Indians (1-2) picked up their first win of the season, 3-1, and handed the Commodores their first loss of the year (4-1).
“I just told (Austin) to get after it,” Anderson said. “I couldn’t be happier for him.”
McAlister gave the Indians a 1-0 lead just five minutes into the game. The senior came in on the right side and found the lower left part of the net.
In the 22nd minute, McAlister bent in a shot after cutting left from 35 feet out. Daniel Parke had an assist on that goal.
With just less than five minutes left in the half, the senior came in on the left side, cut to the net and beat the keeper.
“It was a great all-around effort by everyone,” Anderson said.
Creek got on the board with just 10 minutes, but goalie Ben Durham had six saves in the victory.
Creek had beaten four Top 25 teams so far this season, with three of those wins coming by one goal.
Brent Walls and McAlister both had a team-best four shots for Central. Sean Livingston and Luke Hall each had two shots and Zach Owsley, Addison McCoy and Parke had one shot each.
Central is set to return to action Thursday at West Jessamine.
