Sikeston throttles Fredericktown

~Taylor, Bizzell score two goals each in 7-1 victory

SIKESTON -- Blake Taylor and J.R. Bizzell each scored two goals, leading Sikeston's soccer team to a 7-1 victory over Fredericktown on Monday.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead in the first half and never looked back, improving to 6-7-1 on the season.

"We passed the ball real well today," said Sikeston coach Derrick Long. "Blake Taylor and J.R. Bizzell played really well together. They both assisted each other on a couple of goals. E.C. Atchison and Brad Deere controlled the middle. We had a pretty complete game from everybody."

Taylor scored Sikeston's first goal just six minutes into the action, off an assist from Bizzell. At 20 minutes, the tables turned as Bizzell scored on an assist from Taylor.

"(Bizzell) now has 14 goals and 12 assists," said Long. "He's having a great year. He's just a well-rounded player."

Ryan Beaird got into the scoring action with a goal at 22 minutes to make it 3-0. The assist was provided by Atchison.

Taylor scored his second goal at 26 minutes, off another assist from Bizzell.

At the 28-minute mark, Bizzell made it 5-0 by scoring a goal on a penalty kick.

Martin Schaefer scored at 35 minutes off an assist from Brad Deere to make it 6-0 at halftime.

"(Fredericktown) is a second-year program, so they're just getting started," said Long. "They had a lot of youth out there. The bulk of their team is mainly freshmen and sophomores."

Fredericktown's only goal came at 60 minutes, when Andrew Elston scored on a penalty kick. Jason Deere added Sikeston's final goal of the match at 66 minutes, off an assist from Chris Carnell.

Sikeston had 33 shots on goal and keepers Jason Deere and Cody Cooper made five saves. Fredericktown had six shots and 23 saves.

Sikeston will be back in action today, hosting Notre Dame at 4 p.m.

"That's a really big game," said Long. "We're having a pretty good year so far. Now, we're wondering where we're going to get seeded in our district. It would be a big win for us, and might get us first-round bye in districts. We're going to go out and just play tough."

In Monday's junior varsity match, Sikeston beat Fredericktown 1-0.

Cody Black scored the only goal of the match. The Bulldogs outshot Fredericktown 11-4 and Cooper finished with four saves.

The junior varsity team improves to 5-3-3 with the win.

"They played most of their varsity players in the junior varsity," explained Long. "We had a lot of opportunities. They all played pretty well."