Soccer Game Preview: Bartow vs. McKeel Academy

The Bartow Yellow Jackets will head out to challenge the McKeel Academy Wildcats at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Bartow is probably headed into the matchup with a chip on their shoulder considering Auburndale just ended the team's five-game winning streak on Tuesday. The two teams finished up on equal footing with a 3-3 draw. The result kept the Yellow Jackets happy, as they haven't lost a game since November 21st.

Lake Gibson typically has all the answers at home, but on Friday McKeel Academy proved too difficult a challenge. While the 1-1 score might suggest a draw, it was McKeel Academy who was credited with the win. McKeel Academy got it done in the shootout by posting four goals to Lake Gibson's one. The result kept the Wildcats happy, as they haven't lost a game yet this season.

With that draw, Bartow's record moves to 9-1-2. As for McKeel Academy, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they've won four of their last five contests, which provided a nice bump to their 7-0-3 record this season.

Bartow was able to grind out a solid victory over McKeel Academy when the teams last played back in November of 2023, winning 3-1. The rematch might be a little tougher for Bartow since the team won't have the home-pitch advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.