MURFREESBORO — Jossemar Marcos felt a wave of relief, shock, confusion and joy all in one instant.
Marcos scored the game-winning goal to lift the Madison soccer over Westview, 2-1 in the TSSAA Class A state tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday at Richard Siegel Soccer Park.
The goal itself was something out of a creative mind. A pass came flying in toward Westview goalkeeper Gabriel Gilliam, who was brilliant throughout the game with seven saves. Gilliam tried to make a play on the ball and didn’t get enough of it to clear it out.
Marcos stepped into the shot and hit it with the laces on his shoe, similar to a punt in football.
“I knew I was going to sky it, or it was going to go in,” Marcos said referring to the ball’s path. “I was surprised with myself. … I didn’t know how to react at all. The guys came in and hugged me and I just felt satisfied.”
Marcos, a junior, has been a prolific goal scorer this season with 30. He could have had more Tuesday.
Marcos had a wide open shot just inside the Chargers’ 18-yard box. The shot sailed high, beat Gilliam, but bounced off the cross bar and away from goal.
“I was so sad (at halftime),” Marcos said. “I had to get one, I was hungry (for a goal) like I was hungry for food. I was so eager to get one and after I saw that chance I had to take it.”
Marcos has started at various spots in his three years with the Mustangs, usually patrolling the central midfield and working his way to forward. He’s been part of both teams to play in the last two Class A state title games, including last year’s team which won the championship.
The Mustangs (17-3-1) move on to the semifinals against Gatlinburg-Pittman (16-3-2) on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
“He’s constantly scanning the field, wanting to get into a position here he can receive (the ball) and do something with it,” Young said. “He elevates the play of all the players. … He’s a versatile players, somebody that we can rely on in every situation.”
Austin Chastain is a high school sports writer covering West Tennessee. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ChastainAJ, or contact him by email at achastain@gannett.com.
