Sikeston soccer enjoys offensive explosion during 8-0 win over Harrisburg

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Scoring early and often, the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs didn't give visiting Harrisburg, Ill., much of a chance Wednesday afternoon.

A goal from junior Claudea Kuykendall a minute into the game allowed Sikeston to lead from opening kick to the final whistle in a dominant 8-0 win that easily represents a season-best offensive performance.

"I was happy with their finishing tonight," Sikeston head coach Gabe Dement said. "Monday night (against Massac County, Ill.,) we had a similar amount of chances and didn't finish as many as we should have. Maybe that was because it was wet, but today we were putting shots on frame, being calm on the ball and not rushing things."

Kuykendall's tone-setting goal came shortly after a corner kick that was cleared from in front of the net by Harrisburg. Sikeston kept the ball deep on their end and sent the ball back in front of the net. Kuykendall was able to beat the keeper and a defender playing deep outside the goal before making a sliding kick to push the ball into the undefended net.

Just minutes later, Torrie Helms made it 2-0 on a corner kick from the left side of the field. Helms' kick sailed high and curved into the net high and untouched to set off a four goal night by the junior.

With 25 minutes still to play in the first half, Helms scored her second consecutive goal. Sophomore Larysa McClellon continued her team's hot streak with a goal midway through the half before assisting on another Helms goal with five minutes left before the break.

Sikeston junior Claudea Kuykendall takes a sliding stab at a loose ball Wednesday against Harrisburg, Ill. at the Sikeston Sports Complex. (Brent Shipman photo)

Sikeston junior Claudea Kuykendall takes a sliding stab at a loose ball Wednesday against Harrisburg, Ill. at the Sikeston Sports Complex. (Brent Shipman photo)

Helms had the keeper deep in the box before beating her and going around her for an easy chip-in to give her team a 5-0 lead at halftime.

"I told them before the game you have to jump on them from the start and set the tone," Dement said. "Not give them much chance to get the ball and just try to keep that ball and move it up the field. You'll get more chances that way. We talked about pressuring their goal kicks and closing those out. That gave us several chances as well."

McClellon netted her second goal seven minutes into the second half while Helms came away with her fourth score three minutes later to make it 7-0.

Senior Kyra Rainwater capped the Lady Bulldogs' big offensive night halfway through the second half. Kuykendall played a ball up the right side before passing across the net to an awaiting Rainwater. Rainwater took the ball in stride inside the box and sunk her shot, untouched, to make up the 8-0 final.

Sikeston's eight-goal performance doubled their previous season high of four goals, which they have reached twice this season, including on Monday.

Helms' four-goal, one assist performance gives her seven goals and two assists over the past two games. She leads the team with 13 goals, eight assists and 34 points through 10 games.

Kuykendall finished the night with one goal and an assist while McClellon had two goals and two assists. Sophomore Kayla Graham added an assist to the cause.

Now at 6-4 on the year, the Lady Bulldogs have won two-straight, outscoring those opponents, both from Illinois, 12-0.

The win over Harrisburg was their fifth shutout of the season and opponents are averaging less than a goal a game against Sikeston's defense.

"At halftime I talked to the defense about holding the shutout because that's big for them," Dement said. "The stats aren't really given for the defense very much, but that's kind of a defensive stat there that the girls can share as a team."

Sikeston will look to keep rolling Friday when they take part in the Carbondale Fralish Cup. They'll play Highland, Ill., at 5 p.m.