In the first match on Friday evening, the Hornets took on the Zizzers of West Plains. In the first half, senior Dan McClure created havoc on the left for the Zizzer defense as only the Zizzer keeper was able to stop him. Crisp passing and good movement off the ball allowed the Hornets to dictate the pace. Ironically, the best chance for the Zizzers came off a mistake from Fulton's efforts to play the ball around. A muffed pass from junior keeper Nick Heimericks, in goal for McClure, produced a point-blank opportunity for the Zizzers. Heimericks, though, was able to dive and, at full stretch, turn the shot around the post for the corner.
In the second half, the Hornets again had the better of play, but the Zizzers made the most of the opportunities given to them. The Hornets' defense failed to deal with a loose ball and when it was played to the top of the box, a West Plains forward was able to strike it just inside the post. Fortune smiled on the Zizzers again when a free kick from midfield sailed just under the crossbar to make the score 2-0. Despite having the better of possession and numerous chances of their own, Fulton was unable to put one past the Zizzers' 6'7" keeper.
In their second match, the Hornets played the Parkview JV, who were pressed into action in the tournament at the last minute due to another team dropping out. The Hornets took out their goal scoring frustrations on their hapless opponents, scoring 10 goals to end the match midway through the 2nd half. In the first half, Jake Pierce, Nick Seelinger, Peter Plakorus, and Jakob Hull accounted for the Hornets' scoring. Pierce opened the scoring in the 2nd minute off an assist from Seelinger. Moments later Hull drilled a shot into the upper 90. Seelinger scored in the 10th minute off an assist from Pierce. Pierce then added a second to his tally with a volley from the top of the box in the 12th minute to make the score 4-0. A second burst of scoring from Seelinger (29th minute) and Plakorus (30th and 32nd minute) staked the Hornets to 7-0 halftime lead. In the second half, Sam Mayne scored from a tight angle in the 46th minute, Trevor Neal stuck in a corner on a sliding effort in the 54th minute, and Zach Thomas ended the match four minutes later with goal number 10 for the Hornets.
In their final match, the Hornets played a very athletic side in Kearney, losing 4-1. Again, squandered chances and defensive mistakes doomed the Hornets' otherwise solid play. The Hornets had two good chances in the opening minutes, but regretfully failed to convert. Fulton paid for their generosity moments later when Kearney struck for the opening goal in the 5th minute when the defense failed to close down on a threatening run. There was little McClure - back in goal - could do to stop the accurate shot. The Hornets' misfortune continued when Kearney doubled the lead on a set play off the corner. The Hornets were able to get a goal back in the 24th minute. Darren Jones played a nice ball into space on the left side to Zach Thomas. Thomas beat his defender and struck a hard shot that went through the keeper's hands. Plakorus, coming in from the right, was able to acrobatically steer the ball back into the goal. Unfortunately, Kearney responded with a goal of their own, credited as much to the field conditions as to the Kearney player. An otherwise routine save took a bad bounce and went over the outstretched arms of the sliding McClure to give Kearney the 3-1 lead going into halftime.
In the second half, the Hornets came out playing inspired soccer, whipping the ball around the field with solid passing and winning virtually every 50/50 ball. So dominant were the Hornets that one could have easily assumed that the 3-1 score line favored Fulton. Unfortunately, the Hornets couldn't find the back of the net despite several close chances from Pierce and Morgan Milligan. The only blemish in the half for the Hornets was a morale-killing goal due to a miscommunication in the Hornets defense that allowed a Kearney player to intercept a pass and essentially walk in on the Hornet goal. Otherwise, the Hornets completely played Kearney off the field in the 2nd half. But soccer can be a cruel game and the only points that matter are the ones on the scoreboard.
Despite the disappointing results, the Hornets can come away from the tournament with several positives. First, they out-possessed every team they played and created dangerous chances to score. Second, they were able to get two players back into action after injuries. Junior forward Nick Seelinger, injured for most of the year with a torn ACL, and Peter Plakorus, out for a couple of weeks, returned to action and breathed life into the Hornet attack. Thirdly, the Hornets were able to get two newcomers some first team action. Junior forward Cruz Comez and freshman Daniel Lair got some valuable experience in the tournament. While the Hornets still have work to do on the training grounds, the signs point to promising result as Fulton enters into the bulk of their conference play over the month.
With the tournament, Fulton stands at 4-4 as they travel to Kirksville on Tuesday.
