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Strong first half key to Sikeston shutout
SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs soccer team used an aggressive first half and strong defensive effort en route to a 2-0 win over the visiting Farmington Lady Knights Tuesday night.
Sikeston was the aggressor in the first half, playing nearly the entire first half on Farmington's side of the field but managed only two goals, as many shots went high or just wide of the goal.
"I thought we played a good strong first half," said Sikeston coach Derrick Long. "We're having trouble scoring in our last six or seven games. There are a few little things we need to work on. I thought our defense was pretty strong in the first half."
The first goal for Sikeston actually came from Farmington player. After a Sikeston corner kick, the Farmington defense attempted to clear the ball but instead knocked it into their own goal giving Sikeston a 1-0 lead with 29:09 left in the first half.
A few minutes later the Lady Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead when Abbi Keefer attempted a header from the left side of the goal. A Farmington defender blocked the ball but it rebounded right to Sikeston's Jordi Ferrell who put it in the net with 26:17 remaining in the first half.
In the second half Farmington (4-11) began playing with a sense of urgency and got several good looks at the goal.
"The second half they came out and they pushed a lot of people up, trying to get those goals back and we got a little lazy on defense and let them cut the seams on us," Long said. "They had a couple good opportunities but every threat they had we were able to thwart."
Many times Farmington seemed to have gotten past the Lady Bulldog defense only to see Sikeston sweeper Ashley Angle send the ball the other way.
"Angle controls things pretty good back there," Long said. "She's really quick and if our defenders get beat she's usually there to mop it up. We're lucky to have her and she had a strong game for us. She's been strong for us all year."
Sikeston (11-8-1) will host Fredericktown today at 5 p.m. in a varsity only match.
The Sikeston junior varsity team also won 2-0 over Farmington Tuesday night.
Loren Stokes scored a goal for the Lady Bulldogs, assisted by Abby Harper while Alexia Williams also scored an unassisted goal.
Monday night
The Sikeston varsity team played to a 0-0 tie Monday night at Poplar Bluff, outshooting the Lady Mules 26-6. "We just couldn't put the ball in the net and that is the way it's been through this little stretch we're going through," said Long.