Fulton senior forward Austin Wilson netted two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to spark the Hornets soccer team to a 3-2 victory over the Battle Spartans to close out the regular season on Thursday night.
Wilson scored the decisive goal in the 7th minute of the extra period off senior midfielder David Lazzari's assist.
"I think it was good for us to play a team like Battle because they have a lot of speed on their team like (district opponent) Boonville," Fulton head coach Brad Oestreich said. "... It was a test we were able to pass. That's encouraging for the team and a little momentum going into that district game."
The Hornets (11-11-1) fell behind in the early going Thursday night, allowing an own goal that put the Spartans in front. Wilson's goal in the 26th minute off an assist from senior defender Cody Baumgartner sent the squads into the break tied at 1-all.
Battle regained the lead in the 73rd minute, but an unassisted goal from senior defender Brock Webb with 48 seconds left in regulation sent the contest into overtime.
"That was another great thing, was the not giving up," Oestreich said. "... They continued to work till the whistle blew and it came up working out for us."
Fulton outshot the Spartans on goal 11-10, while both teams finished with two corner kicks. Hornets senior goalkeeper Craig Latty registered eight saves.
The No. 2 seed in the Class 2, District 9 Tournament, Fulton will play the No. 3 Boonville Pirates (15-4) in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Monday in Boonville.
The North Central Missouri Conference rivals split their season series. The Pirates prevailed 3-1 on Sept. 2 in Boonville, while the Hornets returned the favor with a 3-0 win in Fulton on Sept. 30.
"We did beat them the second time we played them; they're going to want revenge for that," Oestreich said. "The way we've been playing the second half (of the season), we've been playing good, team soccer, but it's going to be a fight - a fight till the end."