Joplin thumps Hornets

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September 16, 2008

Joplin thumps Hornets

Offense produces 8 goals as Eagles move to 5-1

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Tue Sep 16, 2008, 11:26 PM CDT

By Meagan Morrison

sports@joplinglobe.com

Strong offensive play helped Joplin shut out the Hillcrest Hornets in boys soccer Tuesday night at Joplin High School.

The Eagles cruised to an 8-0 win to put their overall record at 5-1 and 2-1 in Ozark Conference play.

“This win helps us out,” said head coach Ed Miller. “With the realignment of district, this gives us a conference and district win.”

Senior Blake Aggus scored first for the Eagles with 36:31 left in the first half. Senior Levi Parker had the assist. Joplin scored again with 25:23 left in the half with a goal from sophomore Geovanni Lara, assisted by senior Taylor Six.

“Geovanni did a good job getting in the box and making things happen early,” Miller said. “He’s getting us a lot of chances. He’s one of our smallest guys and he still gets up and after the ball. ”

Lara scored again on an assist by junior Max Duncan with 22:11 left in the half to put the Eagles up 3-0.

Sophomore Lucas Kemper was assisted by Duncan on a goal to put Joplin up 4-0 with 9:39 left in the half. The Eagles scored again when freshman Parker Maher assisted sophomore Jordan Adame with 5:58 left in the first half.

“Jordan had a good game,” Miller said. “To score four goals in the junior varsity game and one in the varsity game is just great.”

Duncan scored off an assist from Kemper to put the score at 6-0 at the half. Duncan scored again with 30:07 left in the game. Sophomore Daniel McDonald had the assist.

“Max (Duncan) is getting over a cold,” Miller said. “Even with that, he was heavily involved in our offensive attack.”

Hillcrest caught a slight break when Aggus’ goal was called back after an offsides call with 29:04 left in the game, but the Hornets were not able to convert.

Sophomore Zach Cox scored the final goal for Joplin with an assist from senior Ryan Marsh. The win was the fourth shutout for the Eagles this season.

“Our defense is doing an outstanding job,” Miller said. “We’re shutting down other teams and keeping them away from the net.”

Senior John McDermid had six saves for the Eagles. The Hornets had eights shots, while Joplin had 24.

“The team is doing good,” Miller said. “We still have some problems we need to solve, but we’re putting the ball in the net.”

The Eagles also won the junior varsity game 9-0.

Joplin plays on Thursday at College Heights Christian School. Varsity play begins at 4:30 p.m.