Sikeston knocks off rival Notre Dame twice in last week

sports@standard-democrat.com

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Before last Friday it had been 10 years since the Sikeston Bulldogs had beaten rival Notre Dame on the road.

After Thursday, they've done it twice in just the past week.

In the midst of a current nine-game road trip to start the season, Sikeston got the game-winning goal from junior Audi Hay midway through the second half before holding on for a 2-1 decision.

"We step on the field and we're going to go at it with whoever is out there," Sikeston head coach Doyle Noe said. "We're going to take anybody on and we may not win every game, but we're going to show up ready to play.

"It was a huge win tonight, especially two against Notre Dame in one week. That says a lot."

Though Hay change his team's fortunes with his fateful header, things weren't looking so hot for Sikeston early in the second half.

After grabbing a 1-0 lead 24 minutes into the contest, Sikeston saw Notre Dame tie things up 10 minutes before the break.

Just five minutes into the second half Sikeston was dealt another blow when senior Chase Baron was forced out of the game with a rolled ankle. It had been Baron's shot in front of the net, off a corner kick from Layton Jones in the first half, that gave Sikeston the early lead.

Rather than get down, however, Sikeston continued to attack and with 20 minutes left in the contest Jones was given a free kick near left corner of the field. Jones sent a high shot in front of the net that got past one Sikeston forward before finding Hay waiting in the wings.

Hay came crashing in on the right side of the net and sent on open header into the back of the net to once against put his team on top.

"I saw the ball going across and I knew I had to put it in no matter what," said Hay of the play. "There was no one around it and the ball was just out in the open so I just headed it in."

Noe credited both Hay and Jones for their hustle that made the play happen.

"That's a great goal, but it's a goal that doesn't happen if Audi isn't hustling and isn't the right spot," Noe said. "Also if Layton doesn't execute and make that good pass like he did so it was a great play by both of them."

As crucial and Jones and Hay were on offense, Sikeston goalkeeper Caleb Hampton played just as pivotal of a role in the second half.

Even with his share of diving saves in the final minutes it was the Hampton's defense against an undefended Notre Dame penalty kick that proved to be one of the highlights of the contest.

With the game still tied 15 minutes into the second half, Notre Dame looked to have an easy shot to grab the lead when they were awarded a penalty from the middle of the box.

Ben Parson, who already had a goal on the night, sent a shot chest-high to the left side of the net only to see a diving Hampton get his hands on it and send the rebound right back to Parson's feet. Parson sent another quick shot on goal that Hampton kept out of the lower right corner of the net before Sikeston's defense came in to clear.

"When he steps up to take a penalty kick I'm pretty confident he's going to bury it," Noe said of Parson. "But I'm confident in Caleb as well. He made a great save and then even saved the rebound that the Parson kid had right after.

"That was big momentum changer. Notre Dame thought they were going to go up 2-1, we make that save and gain some energy and they lose a little bit."

Added Hamton, "It was intense, especially with the PK. We just have to work hard and do what we do. I have faith in my defense. They do work and keep me safe back there."

While it was their second time facing Notre Dame in a week, Thursday's game was the first of Sikeston's SEMO Conference schedule. Now at 6-2-1 on the year Sikeston will host Perryville in their first home game of the season at 6 p.m.

In junior varsity action, Sikeston and Notre Dame drew to a 1-1 tie with Chase Gaines giving Sikeston its lone goal.