Poplar Bluff stuns Farmington ahead of district soccer tournament

The Poplar Bluff Mules grabbed an early goal in the second half but it was enough to take down the district's top seed in the Farmington Knights.

Colten Palma sent a floater near the Knights keeper, who was out of possession. He tried to save it but it wasn't enough as the Mules grabbed a 1-0 victory, their 14th win of the season and most since 2015.

"I think we had a couple good practices before and I think just the mentality," Mules head coach Rusty Crafton said. "These guys are ready to prove we can compete with anybody. I think us getting the No. 4 seed, them giving us the No. 4 seed, kind of added fuel to the fire."

With the game tied 0-0 at the break, Crafton said marking was key in the second half.

"That was our whole gameplan," he said. "To matchup and shutdown their center mids. No. 9 was their best player and we locked down. They played great."

Poplar Bluff now takes on Sikeston in the opening round of the Class 5, District 1 Tournament on Saturday in Hillsboro.

Should the Mules advance, it would set up a rematch with the Knights if they can get by DeSoto in their opening round matchup.

With a possible match looming against the Knights, Crafton said he still wanted his team to play with everything they had.

"I said bring the intensity," he said to his team. "Bring it and just play your hearts out. Last home game and a great way to lead into districts with a win."