Knights advance on penalty kicks

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

HILLSBORO — The Farmington boys soccer team overcame the mounting frustration of watching numerous scoring chances slip away during 110 minutes of scoreless action on Tuesday night.

Sophomore Pete Grindel and goalkeeper John Schnurbusch scored on back-to-back strikes as the second-seeded Knights defeated Sikeston 2-1 on penalty kicks in a Class 2, District 1 quarterfinal match at Hillsboro.

Farmington (15-8) carried the majority of sustained offensive pressure during regulation, earning eight corner kicks in the match. But Sikeston goalie Jason Isaacs made 15 saves and regularly received help from four and five defenders packed inside the penalty area.

The Knights, who will face third-seeded De Soto in the semifinal round on Thursday, widened their attack toward the sidelines to produce two superb scoring threats in the first half.

Connor Eaton found Brett Mell on a cross following a quick restart, but the ensuing shot from 20 yards away sailed high. Zach Thomas controlled his own blocked drive and sent a second ball toward the keeper, but a redirected header from Grindel missed the far post by inches during the 26th minute.

Farmington also had two lengthy shots punched away by Isaacs in the second half, while another deflected off the crossbar.

Sikeston nearly tallied in the 75th when a delayed foul call stopped a potential Farmington counter. Dakota Trevino was awarded a direct kick from just outside the box, but Schnubusch tipped the low tailing shot away with his most impressive save of the night.

Schnurbusch began the penalty-kick phase in goal with another diving stop to his right. He then answered a successful shot from Hunter Williams on the third Farmington attempt after Grindel found the back of the net.

Sikeston (6-17) missed two chances to again draw even, as Stuart Strohm clanked a drive off the right post, and Jordan Davis sent a rolling kick wide.

De Soto 4, North County 0

HILLSBORO — The North County Raiders were limited to just three shots on goal Tuesday night, as dominant De Soto posted a 4-0 semifinal win.

The Dragons were aggressive from the opening kickoff, and created a series of early shots from inside the penalty area. Excellent anticipation by Raiders keeper Cody Huff was all that kept the contest scoreless through 26 minutes.

De Soto eventually grabbed the lead when Alex Haverstick received a diagonal ball from Clint Carder, and tucked a sliding shot under the crossbar.

A similar play in the 34th minute saw Carder make it 2-0 moments after a red card against junior Sam Hulsey forced the Raiders to play one man down for the remainder of the match.

Carder, who collected two assists on the night, had a second potential goal erased on an early offside call. Nick Julian and JC Rotter added goals after intermission to increase the De Soto margin.

North County (10-6) appeared to have answered just seconds before halftime when officials awarded an indirect free kick off a De Soto foul. However, but the strike from senior Phillip Wrabetz beat the keeper without being deflected, and the goal was disallowed.

Huff made 17 saves and Ethan Salazar fired two shots for the Raiders.