Poplar Bluff soccer team trims Notre Dame 1-0

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo -- Poplar Bluff historically has not fared well against Notre Dame in girls soccer, but the Mules have pulled out wins by the slimmest of margins in the last two meetings.

The Mules pulled out another 1-0 win Thursday at Whiteley Park, matching their 1-0 shootout victory last year.

It was the fourth straight shutout for the Mules (5-0), who haven't allowed a goal since five minutes into their opener March 22 at Anna-Jonesboro, Ill.

Poplar Bluff coach Derek Reasons said he challenged his seniors to prove they were good enough to beat the Bulldogs again.

"We've got such a big group of seniors," Reasons said. "This is going to be the last time you play Notre Dame and we kind of wanted to come out and prove that last year wasn't a fluke."

The Mules capitalized on a Notre Dame mistake for the game's lone goal.

Notre Dame freshman goalkeeper Madison Buelow stepped outside of the goal box while drop-kicking the ball with about 28 minutes to play in the second half.

The linesman waved his flag but play continued for about 25 seconds until the referee stopped the game.

After a brief discussion with the linesman and the coaches from both teams, Poplar Bluff was awarded a free kick outside of the box.

Poplar Bluff senior Miranda Burroughs buried the shot past the Notre Dame wall to make it 1-0. It was Burroughs' team-leading fifth goal of the season.

Notre Dame (2-2) strung together a couple of good attacks late but couldn't pull even.

Bulldogs senior Anna Wren shot a ball high with 15 minutes to play after Poplar Bluff sophomore goalkeeper Alexa Atkinson sprawled out for a save.

Wren got a good angle toward the goal from the right but shot it wide with about six minutes left.

"They were going to test us," Notre Dame coach Jeff Worley said. "We knew it was going to be back-and-forth. They've gotten off to a good start. It was kind of the matchup we need."

Buelow also made some huge saves late. Poplar Bluff's Marissa Burroughs got in alone on a breakaway with 20 minutes to play, but Buelow made a huge play.

"The goalie did a great job coming out and cutting that angle on her," Reasons said. "She'll finish that nine times out of 10."

Worley has been pleased with his freshman keeper so far.

"She's very talented and has a great future ahead of her," Worley said. "I have to give a lot of credit to our managers. I ask them a lot to help with the goalkeepers. Madison is going to be very good for us."