Sikeston triumphs in stunning victory on penalty kicks

DESOTO, Mo. — After a tough start to the season, the youthful Sikeston girls’ soccer team earned its first win of the season at DeSoto on Tuesday, April 4.

The Lady Bulldogs (1-6-0) won penalty kicks against the Lady Dragons (1-4-1) after the teams finished regulation in a scoreless stalemate. “I thought both teams had periods of the game where they had the better chances,” said Sikeston coach Gabe Dement. “In the first half I would say we mostly did and in the second it was pretty even. Overall, we outshot them 13-9.”

Care Schrumpf had a great match on the offensive end of the field and created several good chances off the dribble with great passes to her teammates.

“Our team was very gritty on defense,” Dement said. “Despite being without a couple of our back four starters, we cleared several of their offensive attacks. Hailey Presley came up with several saves, but none more important than the three she made in the penalty kick shootout.”

Sikeston won the penalty shootout 4-3 after Olivia Gadberry, Alanna Jones, Natalie Wright and Schrumpf all stepped up and buried their attempts. It was Gadberry, Jones and Wright’s first varsity goals.

Sikeston will compete in the Hillsboro Tournament, beginning Monday, April 10.