Poplar Bluff boys soccer team dumps Central

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- More often than not, Poplar Bluff comes out on the losing end against Central on the soccer field.

After going 0-3 last year, including a loss to the Tigers in the Class 3 District 1 quarterfinals, the Mules got goals from the Ventura brothers to earn a 2-1 win.

It was just the fourth time since 2000 that Poplar Bluff defeated the Tigers.

"It's excellent for a district opponent," Poplar Bluff coach Jamie Waddell said. "The problem is we have to build from there. We can't just allow this to be one win for the rest of the season."

The Mules (3-2) struck first on a fluke goal by senior Mario Ventura.

He netted a goal from near the right sideline and approximately 30 yards out into the left corner of the net on what was meant as a crossing pass.

"Our keeper was a little bit out of position and an unchallenged cross turned into a goal," Central coach Dan Martin said. "It's a tough way to start, but it was the fourth time we gave up a goal in the first two minutes. We're used to that."

Waddell said the senior was looking for an open teammate on the far side of the net.

"It was accidental," Waddell said.

It was his second tally of the season.

Central (1-5) finally found a way past Mules senior goalkeeper Trey Clevenger.

Tigers sophomore Chandler Bagley scored off a feed from junior Nick Barnes to tie the score 1-1 with 13 minutes, 50 seconds left in the second half.

"It's always good to equalize in a game like that, but to give it back was even more deflating," Martin said.

Mario's freshman brother Jose Ventura netted his fourth goal of the season and eventual game-winner just two minutes later.

The Mules got a corner kick from the left. The ball popped out, and senior Luis Rivera poked it toward Jose Ventura. The ball bounced off a Central defender, where Jose Ventura put a solid foot on it.

"Brilliantly struck," Waddell said. "The ball was bouncing and that was a tough ball to concentrate on to keep it low. He's got people around him and he did a good job, especially as a freshman, to keep his poise and focus on the ball. It was a hard-hit ball. That was a legitimate goal."

Central peppered 14 shots on net to the Mules' seven.

"We have 11 sophomores," Martin said. "Our inexperience is showing through this season. We threw everything at them, and they handled it very well."