LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — The South Middle soccer teams didn’t need a full game to pick up wins in their first games. The girls’ and boys’ teams both picked up 10-0 wins over Whitley County Monday by Mercy Rule. The girls closed out a win on a goal by Mayci Fulmer with 5:25 remaining. The boys’ team needed even less time with Isaiah Wright ending the game with 23:16 still showing on the clock.

Seven player score for Lady Cards

South Middle girls were led by two goals each from Jasmine Callahan, Lexie May, and Autumn Harrison. It took Callahan less than four minutes to get the scoring started. It took May even less time to score the second goal on a ball the keeper stopped initially. Callahan quickly kicked in another goal that was waved off due to offsides. It was less than 10 minutes into the game when Harrison made it 3-0 on an open goal. Harrison is one of seven eighth graders for the Lady Cardinals.

Callahan scored again from in front of the goal to make it 4-0. Then it was Carinne Fojtek on a pass from Julie Fouts. Emmaline Hoskins made it a 6-0 halftime lead when she scored from point blank range.

“I think a lot of my sixth graders did well. Emily Royster really stepped up tonight. Emmaline Hoskins really stepped up and did well tonight and Carinne Fojtek,” South Middle coach Todd White said.

The Lady Cardinals have 12 sixth graders added to this year’s roster, but they have a solid group of experienced players to help them adjust.

“We have plenty of leadership on this team. It’s kind of like what the Kentucky basketball team is missing,” White said. “We’re really coming around and I’m watching us grow.”

It was eighth grader May that got the scoring started in the second half from in the box. Harrison made it 8-0 with her second goal. It was still only midway through the second half when Royster made it 9-0.

There was 5:24 showing when Fulmer beat everyone to a loose ball in front of the goal and scored to end it.

“Mayci scored our last goal to finish it off and she’s never played soccer before. Of course her aunt, Kenna Williams, used to be soccer coach here,” White said.

Monday’s game continues along winner streak for White and the Lady Cardinals.

“I knew there would be a lot of missed assignments tonight in this game being the first game of the season, but you know this is number 76 in a row. This starts our fifth year being undefeated,” White said.

Collins scores five for Cardinals

The Cardinals rolled behind five goals from Matt Collins and three from Sawyer Smith.

“We’ve got an experienced team coming back. We’ve got 13 eighth graders and eight or nine of those have three years experience. I’m looking forward hopefully to a good year,” South Middle coach Randy Collins said.

It was less than a minute into the game when Collins scored off the keeper’s hand. South Middle’s next three goals resulted from Whitley County goal kicks. First it was Smith stepping in front of a goal kick and finishing for a 2-0 lead. Another weak goal kick led to a 20-yard bullet from Collins. Collins then made it 4-0 when he took control of another goal kick and scored.

With 18:50 in the half, Clay Weaver followed his own shot for a 5-0 lead. Smith took advantage of another Whitley County goal kick for a 6-0 lead. Whitley County got one touch on the ball after the fifth goal before Collins claimed the ball and dribbled straight to the goal for a 7-0 halftime lead.

“I liked what we saw. Hopefully we can continue building on it,” Collins said.

Smith opened the scoring in the second half. About 10 minutes into the second half, Collins scored his fifth and final goal. Wright then ended the night early.

“We’ve only been out on the field one time. We’ve been working for about five weeks inside because of the weather,” Collins said. “It’s good to see without any scrimmage or anything outdoors at least we looked pretty good.”



 

mhoward@sentinel-echo.com