Perryville boys soccer takes season opener over shorthanded Poplar Bluff in extra time

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- It took until overtime, but the Perryville boys soccer team finally took advantage of having two extra players on the field Tuesday night.

Isaac Ellsworth headed in a game-tying goal with 6 minutes, 16 seconds left in regulation and Cole Gerstenberger scored just before the 4-minute mark of overtime to lift the Pirates past Poplar Bluff 2-1.

Perryville fell behind despite have a man advantage.

"I don't know what was going on," Pirates coach Jerry Fulton said.

The Mules played a man down the 33rd minute on after a second yellow card was issued to the same player in a 10-minute span. A second yellow card was pulled following Jeffry Hardin's 68th-minute goal put Poplar Bluff ahead.

In all, the Mules were carded six times.

"When you're down two, it's hard," Mules coach Steven Edwards said. "I'm proud of the boys that were on the pitch at the end of the game, how they played."

Ellsworth tied it in the 74th minute on a 45-yard free kick by Jacob Sparkman. Gerstenberger jumped to meet Sparkman's volley but it was Ellsworth who got a head on it, redirecting it into the net.

"The shortest guy on the team was the one I think that headed it in," Fulton said. "He went up with (Gerstenberger) but he's a foot shorter, so how he ended up putting his head on it before (Gerstenberger) was amazing."

Gerstenberger ended it just 3:58 into the first overtime period on an assist by Ellsworth from the middle of the field.

"It was a good test," Fulton said. "Bluff gave us everything we wanted. They just don't quit coming at you, they keep coming, keep coming."

Even playing one or two players down.

Alex Reyes picked up his second yellow card with seven minutes left in the first half while Hardin picked up his two yellow cards during a four-minute span of the second half.

Hardin broke a scoreless tie by getting away from three defenders on a break and getting off a low shot to score his second goal of the season. However, the senior's celebration brought out the yellow card.

Edwards estimated Hardin was at 50 percent after suffering a leg injury.

"When you're up 1-0 with 10 minutes left, even down two guys, you think we have a good chance, and we did," Edwards said. "They executed a great set piece, great ball and just put in the back of the net."

Both teams had chances in the first half to go ahead at even strength.

In the opening minute, the Pirates got a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, but the ball sailed inches over the crossbar.

Poplar Bluff (1-1) had a similar chance in the 24th minute but Adam Vincent's shot was deflected and keeper Trent Unterreiner made the save.

Perryville out-shot the Mules 13-8 and had six opportunities from the corner, while Poplar Bluff had none and committed 12 fouls to four by the Pirates, who were making their season debut.

The Mules kept up pressure despite being outnumbered by leaving a forward upfield, trying to stretch Perryville's defenders and keep them from attacking.

"It's our first game of the season so we'll work on some things, tweak some things and hopefully get a little more comfortable with each other as the season goes on," Fulton said.

Perryville scored a late goal to tie the junior varsity game 1-1.