Top-seeded Fulton soccer team opens district play with win over Osage

OSAGE BEACH - The No. 1 seeded Hornets started Class 2, District 11 play off on a good note with a 3-1 win over No. 4 seeded School of the Osage on Monday night.

Senior forward Jake Pierce scored a pair of goals on the day. His first goal came just eight minutes into play on a crossing pass from junior forward Zach Thomas. Sophomore forward Trevor Neal scored unassisted in the 18th minute of the first half, leading Fulton to a 2-0 halftime lead. Pierce scored his second goal on an unassisted effort from 10 yards out in the 32nd minute of the second half.

The Hornets (17-6) were outshot on goal 17-15 by Osage, but edged the Indians out in corner kicks by a margin of 5-2.

"Honestly, it wasn't our best game (offensively), but we scored when needed to and made things happen when we needed," Fulton head coach Brad Oestreich said.

Senior goalkeeper Sam Mayne turned away all but one shot, a breakaway goal 27 minutes into the second half.

"Sam played his best game of the season," Oestreich said. "He was like a wall back there; they couldn't get it past him."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.