By Levi Payton
sports@joplinglobe.com
WEBB CITY, Mo. — Even though the Cardinals thumped Springfield Central 8-1 in Monday night’s non-conference soccer game at Webb City High School, Cardinals coach Kevin Greer seemed to expect a little more performance from his team.
“We need to finish,” Greer said.
Greer was referring to the Cardinals taking an 8-0 lead on the Bulldogs just 10:00 into the second half and failing to find the net again the rest of the game.
“We played OK,” Greer said. “We couldn’t finish. We got enough shots on goal there in the end, but we couldn’t put them in and finish.”
Still, the Cardinals were never in danger of falling behind. The Bulldogs managed just two shots on goal during the entire game, and both attempts came very late in the second half against Webb City’s defensive reserves. The Cardinals, however, blasted 23 shots.
TJ Martin collected four goals to lead all Cardinals scorers. The senior booted goals in the 10th, 38th, 43rd and 48th minutes.
“We’re playing really well right now,” Martin said. “Most of us have played four years together, and we are playing real well together right now.”
The Cardinals led 4-0 at the half thanks to Martin’s two goals as well as single scores by Victor Hernandez and Michael Handley. Austin Doran and Manny Alfaro each found the back of the net in the second half as well.
The win leaves the Cardinals unbeaten in nine outings and continues to build their momentum heading into next week’s non-conference showdown at Cassville. That game becomes particularly important for Greer and his team as they expect the Wildcats to field the best team they have faced thus far this season.
The Cardinals’ starting defense has yielded just two goals all season, though they have been scored upon four times total.
“Obviously, our defense has been outstanding,” Greer said. “But all of our guys have got to step it up. We’ve got a stretch of some very tough games coming up. We’ve got to play at a higher level to win those games.”
The Cardinals will see Cassville twice in the next two weeks as well as other respectful competition from outside of the Southwest Conference.
“I think our guys get (fired) up against better competition,” Greer said. “I think they will get up (against Cassville). I just wish they would get up for every game.”
Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
Webb City remains undefeated
Cardinals defeat Springfield school, 8-1
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
