Fulton hosted Moberly on Sept. 27th in the first skirmish for the conference title. It was a fairly even contest between with both teams creating good chances to score. Unfortunately, it was the visitors who prevailed on the strength of two first-half goals. The first came off a back door run that wasn't picked up and the second was on a fluky play where a through ball went untouched and found the back of the net.
There was no JV game as Moberly doesn't have a junior varsity squad.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Fulton Nips Mexico, 1-0
Fulton took on a solid Mexico squad on the road today and came away with a 1-0 victory. The win moved the Hornets to 7-3 on the season and 5-0 in the conference.
The Hornets took the field with a somewhat different look today. Zach Thomas took on the challenge of marking Mexico's Christian McKeown -- who scored 19 goals as a freshman last year -- and so the Hornets played in a modified 4-4-2. In addition, the Hornets were without the services of two midfielders, so Chad Davis moved into the center of midfield and Luke Nigus stepped into Davis' spot on the backline.
Despite the new configuration, the Hornets took to it well and took control of the match from the opening whistle. Throughout the first half, superior ball control and solid passing combinations allowed Fulton to mount numerous attacks on the Mexico end. However, the narrow field and an organized Mexico defense meant it was difficult to find the space to get behind the Mexico back line. The Hornets were content to try their luck from distance with their best chances coming of free kicks. Meanwhile the defense did well in containing the Mexico attack, limiting them to just three chances that never really tested keeper Nick Heimericks. The half ended 0-0.
In the second half, the Hornets again had the better chances, but seemed content to play long, hopeful balls to the forwards rather than using a short passing game to unlock the Mexico defense. Ultimately it was a little bit of good fortune and hustle that provided the game winner in the 16th minute. Chad Davis cut inside from the wide midfield and unleashed a powerful shot that was partially blocked. The deflection spun goalward and was headed in, but the scrambling keeper was able to just push it onto the bar. A couple of Hornets crashed the goal with Trevor Neal getting the decisive touch to knock it over the line.
In the JV game that followed, Mexico was forced to rely on several varsity players to round out their depleted roster. Still the Hornets did well, especially the defense. While Hadi Katish and Jonathan Perry performed well in the center of the defense, tracking back to snuff out numerous breakaways, the real hero was Daniel Lair. Playing almost as a sweeper/keeper, he was called upon to come out of goal several times to stop solo runs from the Mexico attackers, often nicking the ball away just in time. Unfortunately, a defensive lapse allowed McKeown to strike a beauty of a shot from outside the box that found the upper 90 to win the shortened game for Mexico.
Fulton will host Moberly on Tuesday night in a contest between the two conference co-leaders (both teams are perfect in conference action). There will be no JV game.
The Hornets took the field with a somewhat different look today. Zach Thomas took on the challenge of marking Mexico's Christian McKeown -- who scored 19 goals as a freshman last year -- and so the Hornets played in a modified 4-4-2. In addition, the Hornets were without the services of two midfielders, so Chad Davis moved into the center of midfield and Luke Nigus stepped into Davis' spot on the backline.
Despite the new configuration, the Hornets took to it well and took control of the match from the opening whistle. Throughout the first half, superior ball control and solid passing combinations allowed Fulton to mount numerous attacks on the Mexico end. However, the narrow field and an organized Mexico defense meant it was difficult to find the space to get behind the Mexico back line. The Hornets were content to try their luck from distance with their best chances coming of free kicks. Meanwhile the defense did well in containing the Mexico attack, limiting them to just three chances that never really tested keeper Nick Heimericks. The half ended 0-0.
In the second half, the Hornets again had the better chances, but seemed content to play long, hopeful balls to the forwards rather than using a short passing game to unlock the Mexico defense. Ultimately it was a little bit of good fortune and hustle that provided the game winner in the 16th minute. Chad Davis cut inside from the wide midfield and unleashed a powerful shot that was partially blocked. The deflection spun goalward and was headed in, but the scrambling keeper was able to just push it onto the bar. A couple of Hornets crashed the goal with Trevor Neal getting the decisive touch to knock it over the line.
In the JV game that followed, Mexico was forced to rely on several varsity players to round out their depleted roster. Still the Hornets did well, especially the defense. While Hadi Katish and Jonathan Perry performed well in the center of the defense, tracking back to snuff out numerous breakaways, the real hero was Daniel Lair. Playing almost as a sweeper/keeper, he was called upon to come out of goal several times to stop solo runs from the Mexico attackers, often nicking the ball away just in time. Unfortunately, a defensive lapse allowed McKeown to strike a beauty of a shot from outside the box that found the upper 90 to win the shortened game for Mexico.
Fulton will host Moberly on Tuesday night in a contest between the two conference co-leaders (both teams are perfect in conference action). There will be no JV game.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Hornets Take Down Hannibal, 3-2
The Hornets traveled to Hannibal on Thursday night and came away with a 3-2 victory. Two goals by Jake Pierce and another by Trevor Neal paced the Hornets to the victory, which moved them to 4-0 in the conference.
The Hornets got off to a quick start. The game was played on the artificial turf of the Hannibal football stadium, which suited Fulton just fine. The passing was crisp and the Hornets mounted several early attacks on the Hannibal goal. Unfortunately, a free kick deep in the Hornets' end resulted in a penalty kick as a Fulton player was whistled for a push in the box. Hannibal converted to make it 1-0 barely six minutes into the game.
To their credit, the Hornets kept their composure and continued to knock the ball around the field. Their reward came in the 22nd minute. Jake Pierce took a Zach Thomas flick, out-muscled his defender, and drove into the box. As the keeper came out, Pierce deftly tucked the ball just inside the right post to level the score at 1-1.
In the second half, the Hornets came out ready to play. In the 43rd minute, the Hornets went on top after a nice passing sequence at the top of the box. Trevor Neal settled a long pass and squared it to Jakob Hull, who one-touched it to Pierce. Pierce laid it off for Neal on the overlap, who drove into the left side of the box. His cutback move to the inside gave him enough room to unleash a powerful shot that proved too much for the Hannibal keeper as the ball went through his hands. The keeper dove in an attempt to recover the ball, but in vain.
The Hornets got off to a quick start. The game was played on the artificial turf of the Hannibal football stadium, which suited Fulton just fine. The passing was crisp and the Hornets mounted several early attacks on the Hannibal goal. Unfortunately, a free kick deep in the Hornets' end resulted in a penalty kick as a Fulton player was whistled for a push in the box. Hannibal converted to make it 1-0 barely six minutes into the game.
To their credit, the Hornets kept their composure and continued to knock the ball around the field. Their reward came in the 22nd minute. Jake Pierce took a Zach Thomas flick, out-muscled his defender, and drove into the box. As the keeper came out, Pierce deftly tucked the ball just inside the right post to level the score at 1-1.
In the second half, the Hornets came out ready to play. In the 43rd minute, the Hornets went on top after a nice passing sequence at the top of the box. Trevor Neal settled a long pass and squared it to Jakob Hull, who one-touched it to Pierce. Pierce laid it off for Neal on the overlap, who drove into the left side of the box. His cutback move to the inside gave him enough room to unleash a powerful shot that proved too much for the Hannibal keeper as the ball went through his hands. The keeper dove in an attempt to recover the ball, but in vain.
Thirteen minutes later the Hornets struck again to make it 3-1. Pierce took a pass around midfield and curled back to his left. His well-placed chip found Zach Thomas on the right side of the field. Thomas used his speed and a change of direction to get into the box and practically "baited" his defender into the foul. The defender really had no choice. Either chop him down or let him in alone on goal. On the ensuing penalty, Pierce calmly powered his shot past the keeper.
With the game seemingly in hand, the Hornets appeared to be on course to cruise to victory. However, the Pirates made matters interesting in the last five minutes. A hand ball on a Hornet player on the edge of the box resulted in a free kick. The wall failed to do its job and left the near side of the goal exposed to the powerfully-driven shot. Goal, Hannibal. An inexplicable (trust me, we asked for an explanation, but it still made no sense) red card with a minute remaining then reduced the Hornets to 10 men. Fortunately, the Hornets were able to run out the clock and take home the victory.
In the JV game, the Hornets and Pirates battled to a 0-0 tie. The Hornets played good, attractive soccer with several nice passing combinations. Man of the match honors must go freshman keeper Jared Strough. Alone on a breakaway, he not only made himself huge, but he came up with a huge save to preserve the tie.
The Hornets travel to Mexico on Saturday morning.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Hornets Take Down Kirksville, 6-0
The Hornets returned to conference action -- and their winning ways -- on Tuesday night as Fulton hosted the Kirksville Tigers. The Hornets would score all the goals they needed in the first half, but added five more in the second to win 6-0.
SoBoCo Wallops Hornets, 4-2
The SoBoCo Eagles came to play last Thursday and defeated the Hornets 4-2 in an emotional match between the two long-standing rivals.
Despite the equalizer, the Eagles continue to press the action. Their speed put the Hornets back on their heels in the remaining 20 minutes of the half.
The Eagles took the early lead on a defensive miscue in the 15th minute when two defenders crashed into each other, turning an easy clearance into a loose ball in front of the Hornets goal. SoBoCo reacted first and took a 1-0 lead.
With the Hornets reeling and the Eagles flying all over the field, the prospects looked bleak for the home side. However against the run of play, the Hornets got the equalizer in the 20th minutes. From his midfield position, Jakob Hull put Zach Thomas through on the right side. Thomas was able to turn the corner on his man and drive towards the SoBoCo goal. His threat drew out the keeper and his smart cross was met by a charging Jake Pierce who poked it into the open net.
With the Hornets reeling and the Eagles flying all over the field, the prospects looked bleak for the home side. However against the run of play, the Hornets got the equalizer in the 20th minutes. From his midfield position, Jakob Hull put Zach Thomas through on the right side. Thomas was able to turn the corner on his man and drive towards the SoBoCo goal. His threat drew out the keeper and his smart cross was met by a charging Jake Pierce who poked it into the open net.
Despite the equalizer, the Eagles continue to press the action. Their speed put the Hornets back on their heels in the remaining 20 minutes of the half.
After the break, the Hornets came out buzzing and employed a smothering defense. For the first 10 minutes, Fulton had the advantage with most of the action being on SoBoCo's end. Unfortunately, the referee saw the tight defense differently and whistled the Hornets for numerous fouls, the most important being a PK, which was converted to make it 1-2 in favor of the Eagles.
The Hornets felt hard done by the call and allowed their emotions to get the better of them. That, and a couple of ill-timed injuries, proved fatal against a very talented SoBoCo squad. The Eagles added 2 more goals before Fulton added a consolation goal in the final minute. Pierce out jumped the keeper to knock in a freekick from Darren Jones.
In the JV match, SoBoCo again took the early lead. However, Fulton keeper Daniel Lair played the match of his life to keep the Eagles at bay and in the 41st minute (11th minute of the 2nd half) Fulton equalized. Junior Cody Pae crossed into the box to find sophomore Cody Baumgartner. Baumgartner settled, turned, and unleashed a powerful shot into the far netting past the keeper. It was goal any player -- at any level -- would be proud to claim.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Jeff City Proves Too Tough for Fulton
It was a tough outing for Fulton tonight as they hosted the Jefferson City Jays. The Jays prevailed in both contests winning 2-0 in the varsity game and 6-0 in the junior varsity.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Hornets Get Big Wins at Marshall
Veni, vedi, vici. (We came, we saw, we conquered.)
The Fulton Hornets travelled to Marshall on Thursday night and made a strong statement that they intend to be a contender for the conference title with a 3-1 win. Jake Pierce scored twice and Zach Thomas added another. Sam Mayne did well to secure the win.
In the jv game, the Hornets prevailed 1-0 on a goal from Cody Pae.
Full match reports will be posted tomorrow.
The Fulton Hornets travelled to Marshall on Thursday night and made a strong statement that they intend to be a contender for the conference title with a 3-1 win. Jake Pierce scored twice and Zach Thomas added another. Sam Mayne did well to secure the win.
In the jv game, the Hornets prevailed 1-0 on a goal from Cody Pae.
Full match reports will be posted tomorrow.
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