Bulldogs win 10-0 in season opener

Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Sikeston's Sam Cox dribbles downfield for a goal against Fredericktown Monday at the Sikeston Sports Complex. Sikeston won the game 10-0. (Chris Pobst photo)

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Sam Cox scored a hat trick and the Sikeston Bulldogs soccer team scored a big win to open their season.

Sikeston pounded Fredericktown 10-0 in a mercy-rule victory Monday at the Sikeston Sports Complex after scoring nine goals in the first half.

"It's always good to start off on the right foot," said Cox. "It's fun to see everyone get involved and on the scoresheet. Everybody came together as a unit."

The Bulldogs needed just five minutes to get on the board.

Layton Jones, who ended up with four assists, found Audie Hay off a corner kick. Hay headed the first of two goals to start the landslide.

"I feel like we worked the ball around well and played together as a team," Hay said. "It's good to always start out strong. Hopefully that carries on throughout the season."

Exactly a minute later, Cox punched in his first goal of the night. His second wasn't too far behind and then Hay quickly made it 4-0. Cox followed with his third and final goal nearly four minutes later to give the Bulldogs a 5-0 lead with 19:09 left in the first half.

"They're going to score some goals for us this year for sure," Sikeston head coach Gabe Dement said about Hay and Cox. "We were able to keep the ball in our possession and not force things that wasn't there. We put the ball in the net so that was nice to see."

Conner Merideth made it 6-0 and Jones headed in Sikeston's seventh goal with the assist from Trey Smith. Nick Shelton scored a goal with eight minutes left and Cody Rodgers made it 9-0 to cap the first half.

"Early on we got the long balls and through-balls working for us," said Cox. "Throughout the game we started passing the ball more and was moving the ball well. It ended up working for us."

With 23:53 left in the second half Hunter Taylor ended the match.

"We're looking to possess more," Hay said. "It all started with our center-mids and everyone was talking and communicating. That worked out well."

Sikeston's next game will be Friday night in Carbondale, Ill., and will play Waterloo, Ill.

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