The Council of Trent would have been proud as the Fulton Hornets thoroughly dominated St. Charles Lutheran 6-0 on Wednesday. While the display of soccer was not quite Baroque -- lacking as it did drama and crisis -- the Hornets demonstrated their artistry on the ball and with quick bold strokes conveyed a simple, easily understood message: we will win today.
While a satisfying win, the truth is that St. Charles Lutheran was a depleted opponent with only one sub. And with a heat index of 102 at kickoff, St. Charles Lutheran was facing an uphill battle at best.
Fulton opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Jake Pierce ran onto a ball deep in the penalty box. He turned and found Chad Davis aloneat the top of the box. Davis took a settle and coolly measured his shot left upper 90.
Five minutes later, the Hornets struck again to make it 2-0. As was the case all day, Pierce had acres of space to turn in front of the defense. Pierce found Howie Lee on the right wing. Lee delivered an inviting cross that Zach Thomas ssmashed home from the 6 yard box.
In the 33rd minute, Pierce took a pass from Davis and again found himself wide open. Taking a quick glance up to see the keeper off the line, he launched a shot from 40 yards out that dropped just under the crossbar to make it 3-0.
Two minutes from halftime, Trevor Neal gathered up a loose balll just outside the box and drove forward. Beating his defender, he was able to send a screamer past the keeper into the far post.
After halftime, the Hornets added two more goals to their haul for the day. pierce found Darren Jones wide on the left. jone cut inside and delivered an inch perfect cross to Thomas who volleyed it home. Three. minutes later thomas (who was denied his hattrick moments before as he was ruled offside) latched on to a loose ball at the far post. The keeper was able to get a hand to it, but only to push it into the side netting.
That rounded out the scoring, but credit must also be given to the defense. senior Sam Mayne, making his debut in goal, recorded a clean sheet. much of the credit goes to Nick Heimericks and Morgan Milligan, who renewed their partnership in central defense. Acknowledgment must also be made of the contributions of the substitutes, who performed ably and kept the pressure on St. Charles Lutheran throughout the game.
The Hornets will play next @ 4:00 on Friday on the stadium field (Fort Zumwalt North) against an opponent yet to be determined.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tough Loss to St. Charles in Tourny Opener
The Fulton Hornets dropped their opening game of the Fort Zumwalt North (O'Fallon) tournament on Monday evening. It was a game to be rued as the Hornets spotted St. Charles an undeserved two-goal lead before mounting a comeback that fell just a little short.
St. Charles opened the scoring in the 10th minute against the run of play when a long through ball put an attacker in alone. He collectedthe ball and calmly smashed it to the far post past keeper Nick Heimericks.
A few minutes later disaster struck. A miscommunication in the defense allowed a St. Charles player to swoop in on the right and drive a ball to the far post which nestled just inside the post. 0-2 with only 20 minutes gone.
While not an ideal situation, it afforded the team an opportunity to see how the players handled adversity. Some handled it better than others, but the team as a whole responded well. The Hornets continued to press and test the St. Charles keeper.
The effort finally paid off midway through the 2nd half. Morgan Milligan, who gave the St. Charles back fits throughout the game, drove in from right flank position and slotted a ball to Chad Davis. Davis' shot fell to Jake Pierce who struck it home from close range.
With the score now 1-2 the Hornets pressed for the equalizer. Fulton came close with 10 minutes to go when Pierce's shot hit the keeper's trailing leg. Other opportunities went wide or high to leave the Hornets frustrated with a "what might have been" game.
The Hornets play again on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 against St. Charles Lutheran.
St. Charles opened the scoring in the 10th minute against the run of play when a long through ball put an attacker in alone. He collectedthe ball and calmly smashed it to the far post past keeper Nick Heimericks.
A few minutes later disaster struck. A miscommunication in the defense allowed a St. Charles player to swoop in on the right and drive a ball to the far post which nestled just inside the post. 0-2 with only 20 minutes gone.
While not an ideal situation, it afforded the team an opportunity to see how the players handled adversity. Some handled it better than others, but the team as a whole responded well. The Hornets continued to press and test the St. Charles keeper.
The effort finally paid off midway through the 2nd half. Morgan Milligan, who gave the St. Charles back fits throughout the game, drove in from right flank position and slotted a ball to Chad Davis. Davis' shot fell to Jake Pierce who struck it home from close range.
With the score now 1-2 the Hornets pressed for the equalizer. Fulton came close with 10 minutes to go when Pierce's shot hit the keeper's trailing leg. Other opportunities went wide or high to leave the Hornets frustrated with a "what might have been" game.
The Hornets play again on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 against St. Charles Lutheran.
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