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Bulldogs win district opener
SIKESTON - The Sikeston Bulldogs soccer team won their seventh straight game and district opener in Class 2, District 1 against the Windsor Owls 5-0 at the Sikeston Complex on Saturday afternoon.
In other district action on Saturday. No. 2 seed Farmington downed Festus, while No. 4 seed De Soto Dragons defeated Fredericktown 3-1. The Dragons will face No. 1 seed Notre Dame Bulldogs, who earned the bye, in one semifinal match on Monday at 5 p.m. at the Complex.
Led by Blake Taylor, Chris Carnell and Timmy Hart on offense and solid goal play from Scott Droddy, the Bulldogs took control early in the first half to defeat the upset-minded Owls who finished the year at 8-11-1.
"I was pleased with our effort today," said Sikeston head coach Derrick Long. "We didn't know what to expect from Windsor because we have not seen them all year. I was a little worried that we would come out flat today and they (Windsor) might stick around the entire game. We were a little sluggish to begin the game, but the kids bounced back and getting the first win in district play is always a good thing."
Controlling the action early on in the first half, Sikeston got on the scoreboard at 30:00 on a nice pass from Carnell to Hart who beat the Windsor goalie low and to the left in goal.
Two minutes before the half, Carnell set up Taylor who got past the Owls defense and had a one-on-one with the goalie. Taylor tried to chip the shot in goal, but the keeper blocked the ball. Taylor didn't quit on the play and when the ball bounded right back to him on the save, he had an easy tap-in for the Bulldogs second score of the game and a 2-0 lead at the half.
"I didn't think we played a solid first half," said Long. "Like I said, the kids came out a little sluggish, but we got our midfielders to push up and we started to make some things happen."
Sikeston kept the pressure on the Owls in the second half of action. Six minutes into the half, Taylor scored his second goal of the game on an assist from Hart.
At 51:00, Caleb Davidson hit Hart who punched in his second goal to put the Bulldogs up comfortably 4-0.
Taylor earned the hat trick at 69:00 on an assist from Hart. Sikeston cruised from there to a 5-0 first-round win over Windsor.
Besides Taylor's three goals, Hart had two goals and two assists and Carnell recorded two assists for the Bulldogs.
"Hart had a huge game today," said Long. "Timmy dribbled well and made some nice passes. I believe he got us going and was the key to victory for us."
The Bulldogs outshot Windsor 13-4 in the first half and 22-10 overall. Droddy recorded the shutout for the Bulldogs in goal.
Sikeston (12-11-1) faces the Farmington Knights in the district semifinals today at 7 p.m. at the Complex soccer field.
The Knights defeated the Bulldogs 2-1 on Sept. 25. Long believes it is going to be a battle if his club hopes to make the district finals which will be held on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
"Farmington got us earlier in the year," said Long. "We have to come out fast and not play as sluggish as we did today. Our defense needs to be tighter than it was today as well. It is going to be a good match and we will give it all we got."