Sikeston soccer team shows true sportsmanship through charitable act

SIKESTON, Mo. — Despite a tough loss in their match today and a tie yesterday, the Sikeston girls' soccer team proved that they are winners both on and off the field.

The team’s dedication to helping others is a shining example of the positive impact that sports can have beyond the game.

Carbondale (12-5-0) won 8-0 over Sikeston at Bill Lawson Memorial Field on Wednesday, May 3, but the Lady Bulldogs showed a fighting spirit and unrelenting resolve.

“We ran into a tough and well-organized team for the third game in the past three days,” said Sikeston coach Gabe Dement.

Sikeston game at Massac County, Illinois against the Lady Patriots (6-10-2) ended 1-1 on Tuesday, May 2.

Kinsley Brandon scored 32 minutes into the second half off of an assist from Cate Schrumpf.

Brandon took the shot from about 15 yards out, it went into the lower corner evading the keeper’s outstretched arms.

Lady Bulldogs’ goalkeeper Hailey Presley made 12 saves in the game.

“I was very proud of the effort we showed today,” Gabe Dement said. “We were without a few very reliable varsity players due to various reasons and several girls step up in big moments for us. Our defense played very well in holding them to one goal. We had lost to them earlier in the year on a neutral field 2-0 and learned who we felt their key player was. We had Landry Eason mark her all game and she did a phenomenal job. I’m not often proud of a tie, but I was last night.”

Dement added, defenders Maggie Drury, Alanna Jones, Olivia Gadberry and Kenzie Ogden rarely if ever got a break and played physical and strong defense.

Sikeston travels to Class 4, No. 9 ranked Jackson (12-1-0) on Monday, May 8, and concluded its regular season on the road at Fredericton (4-13-3) on Tuesday, May 9.