Fulton senior goalkeeper Craig Latty came up with two crucial saves and the Hornets soccer team turned back the Mexico Bulldogs 2-1 on penalty kicks in their North Central Missouri Conference opener Thursday night.
Fulton (2-1) converted 4-of-5 penalty kicks after the two teams went to a shootout following a 1-all tie through regulation and two 10-minute overtimes. Latty held the Bulldogs to just 3-of-5 penalty kicks.
Mexico gained an early lead with a goal in the 6th minute of the first half. Fulton junior midfielder Gage Oestreich then banked a shot off the crossbar, but senior forward Austin Wilson collected the rebound and notched the tying goal in the 12th minute.
Both teams produced five shots on goal during the scoreless second half. The Hornets continued their pressure in the two overtime periods, with head coach Brad Oestreich being particularly pleased with his team's effort in the second session.
"Even though we were not able to get a goal in the second overtime, we kept the pressure on Mexico for the entire 10 minutes, putting multiple shots on goal," he said.
Fulton continues NCMC road play at Boonville at 5 p.m. Tuesday.