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Bulldog soccer blanked by Poplar Bluff
SIKESTON - The Sikeston Bulldogs soccer team continues to struggle as the Poplar Bluff Mules came to the Sikeston Complex on Tuesday night and defeated the Bulldogs 3-0.
The Mules scored just before the end of the first half and added two more goals to put the match away in the last three minutes of action.
"Poplar Bluff had a good game tonight," said Sikeston head coach Derrick Long. "They simply outworked us and that has been happening all season. Bluff spread the field on us and had good movement. We had some chances but they finished and we didn't."
Led by Blake Taylor, the Bulldogs had some golden opportunities to take a lead in the first half, but shots were either wide of the goal or Mules goalie Carlos Torres made some good excellent saves.
"I have to tip my hat to Bluff," said Long, "they made the plays when they had to. Their goalie made a heck of a save against Taylor. If he makes that, you never know. Maybe we get rolling and the outcome is different."
The first half was even until Poplar Bluff's Carl Stigall headed a pass to Eric Exstedt who put the ball past Sikeston goalie Scott Droddy at 35:00 to put the Mules up 1-0 heading into the half.
The Bulldogs had their chances in the second half but could not get past Torres and the Mules defense.
"Our forwards have to finish the play and quit letting opportunity after opportunity go by," said Long. "We are trying some kids from the junior varsity to try and help out. We have got some holes we have to fill. We have two or three spots that are not working hard enough."
While Sikeston struggled to convert offensively, Poplar Bluff took advantage of some spotty Sikeston defense to salt the game away.
At 78:00, the Bulldog defense had issues clearing the ball out of their own end and Josh Thompson of the Mules took advantage and scored an uncontested goal as Droddy was out of position trying to help out his defense.
A minute later, Poplar Bluff (7-6) iced the contest with a Martin Esquivel goal on an assist by Eric Exstedt.
"We have to come together as a team," said Long. "I am very disappointed with out effort tonight and we have to bounce back tomorrow with DeSoto. I am hoping our kids can rally and have a better game tomorrow."
Torres stopped all 18 shots by the Bulldogs to record the shutout. Poplar Bluff ended with 20 shots for the game.
Sikeston captured the junior varsity contest 2-0, for their first victory of the year.
Steven Beydler put the Bulldogs on the board with a goal on an assist by Stuart Strohm. Mikey Botkin scored the second goal on an assist by Nikko Galang.
Sikeston (2-7-1) hosts DeSoto today with the junior varsity game slated to start at 5 p.m.