Perryville boys soccer team topples Hancock, advances to state quarterfinals

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perryville soccer team got an early boost of confidence when Eann Bergman scored exactly 1 minute into the Pirates' Class 2 sectional against visiting Hancock at the Bank of Missouri Soccer Complex.

But 5 minutes, 37 seconds later, the defending state champions were stunned by Hancock, which entered the game with its first district title under its belt, when Adis Salaka headed an equalizer in off a corner kick.

"They surprised us," Perryville's Pablo Mattingly said. "We thought it was going to be a little bit easier. We underestimated them and they got back right away, definitely underestimated them."

The Pirates, who were in complete control the remainder of the game, regained the lead before halftime and added two second-half goals as they ended the Tigers' season at 15-10 with a 4-1 victory.

"We knew that Hancock was coming in with a lot of energy," Perryville coach Jerry Fulton said. "They won their first district title ever, so you knew you were going to have a lot of excited kids coming in. I thought we got off to a great start. Would've preferred we hadn't given them the one back to make it a little interesting there for awhile.

Perryville players celebrate after scoring a goal in the first half against Hancock during a Class 2 sectional Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015 in Perryville. (Glenn Landberg)

"But I thought our guys listened. They came back. They controlled most of the game. It was pretty much us controlling the game. It was just a matter of when we could get the ball in the net. We had several opportunities I thought we should've finished and didn't."

Bergman's goal was his 21st of the season. Perryville remained on the offensive attack for much of the first half with several shots that sailed over the crossbar or skipped just wide of the goal.

"The field was slick, and we couldn't get crisp passes all around. And it hurt our finishing," Bergmann said. "We should've kept the ball lower, and we kept kicking it over because it's just so hard to get traction and get a good shot off."

Isaac Ellsworth put the Pirates back on top for good with 12:56 left in the first half.

Kyle Wood sent a strong header toward the goal that bounced off a Hancock defender and dropped right in front of Ellsworth, who tapped it to the right of the Tigers' goalkeeper to make it 2-1, which the score remained at halftime.

Perryville's Kyle Wood goes up against Hancock's Almir Sehic to get control of the ball in the second half during a Class 2 sectional Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015 in Perryville. (Glenn Landberg)

"We definitely had the better of the play and the more possession in the first half. We just didn't capitalize. Just to sit down and focus and make our runs and keep doing the good things we were doing, only this time make them count," Fulton said of his halftime message.

Mattingly pushed the Perryville lead to 3-1 a little more than 11 minutes into the second half.

The ball was crossed in from near the right end line, and Mattingly sent it low to the right of the goalie.

"Even with the sloppy field, we still did move the ball really well and found the open man and pretty much dominated the game, so that feels good, gives us more confidence going into the next game," Bergman said.

The Tigers had a free kick with about a minute and a half remaining that a Perryville defender headed out. Bergman broke away with the ball near midfield and sent a shot in that bounced off the keeper. Emilio Mattingly was there to clean up the rebound and scored the final goal with 39 seconds remaining.

Perryville coach Jerry Fulton talks with the team during halftime against Hancock in a Class 2 sectional Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015 in Perryville. (Glenn Landberg)

"They'll play until the whistle," Fulton said about his team, which improved to 22-4 on the season.

Pirates goalkeeper Trent Unterreiner made just three saves in the win. The Tigers' lone goal was only the 17th allowed by Perryville this year.

"Defense, can't say enough about my defense," Fulton said. "They've done this all year. Those four guys back there are very solid, and we're very, very happy with our defense and the way they play."

The Pirates advance to the state quarterfinal round on Saturday.

They'll play the winner of Wednesday night's sectional contest between Bishop DuBourg and John Burroughs.

"It feels good to be back (in the quarterfinals)," Pablo Mattingly said. "We still have to play the game and keep going. It's not an accomplishment, it's just another step forward."