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Smith finishes Murphysboro 1-0 with late header during Sikeston's annual Gold Out
SIKESTON -- Sikeston senior Trey Smith was pleading to his teammates to use their heads. Not by playing with a different approach, but to literally use their heads for headers and gain possession during long passes.
It was only fitting he use his own advice for the game-winner.
Smith headed a goal with just over six minutes to go which proved to be the difference maker during a 1-0 win against visiting Murphysboro, Ill., Tuesday at the Sikeston Sports Complex.
"I'm always the one it seems like to go up [for a header]," Smith said. "It's gotten easier and easier over time because I've done it so much."
Smith's goal was a breakthrough for Sikeston's offense who struggled to find the back of the net although dominating possession and shots to the tune of 26-6.
During one of their numerous corner kicks, Brett Johnson gave Smith a near perfect ball to punch in. Smith, who routinely wins headers while playing defense, out-jumped his opponent to make contact first. The ball made a quick ricochet towards the ground and eventually bounced off the goal post and found its way in for his first goal of the season.
"I just got my head on the ball and hoped it went in," he said.
Smith's goal came shortly after the senior took a small break on the sideline. Once he was placed back in the game, Dement told him to "make something happen."
"He got his break and he definitely made something happen," Dement said. "He's always up on corners because he's one of our kids that will go after any ball. He's pretty fearless and aggressive and it was good to see him finally finish one. I'm happy for him."
Although Sikeston (11-11) pressured the Red Devils with a constant attack, Murphysboro's defense held strong until late in the second half. Goalie Austin Hoekstra thwarted 11 of Sikeston's 12 shots on goal.
"It's tough to continue to play as a team when that happens because everyone is frustrated," Dement said. "I was still happy that we were able to possess and pass the ball to create chances, but its tough when you just can't score and the ball just won't go in. You have to stay positive and I thought for the most part we did."
Murphysboro (7-8) is a first-year program that didn't look like rookies.
The Red Devils defeated Jackson 1-0 and lost to Poplar Bluff 3-1 earlier this season. They lost their first five games of the year but have rebounded with seven wins in it's last 10 matches.
"This is a first-year group," Murphysboro coach Mike Lydy said. "We're seeing a lot of improvement. Half our team has never played soccer so knowing that Sikeston has always been a strong team I told our guys that they'd have to bring it."
The Red Devils put four of their six shots on goal while keeping Sikeston off the board for 73 minutes.
"They're much bigger, they're a faster team and incredibly well coached," Lydy added. "I'm pleased with our effort... When we can hold our own with a team like that I'm incredibly proud."
Sikeston's next match will be on the road against Class 3, District 1 rival Cape Central on Thursday in hopes of improving their district standing. In two matches already this season, they each own one win with Sikeston outscoring the Tigers a combined 4-3.
The Bulldogs have won five of their last six matches.
"We're just going to have to play hard," Dement said. "It's going to take a team effort. It's going to be on their field with the turf and we're going to have to get used to that. We're going to have to play calm, possess and finish our chances."
Tuesday night was also Sikeston's annual Gold Out game with an effort to raise money for a local family struck by cancer. This year's recipient of over $1,400 through donations, a 50/50 raffle, t-shirt, concession stand and bake sales was Marshall Pullen.
Pullen, who continues to battle complications from a rare brain tumor found in 2012, was an honorary captain and was greeted by each player from Sikeston and Murphysboro before the match.