Three different players tallied goals as the Hornets held on for the North Central Missouri Conference victory over the rival Bulldogs on Monday night at the high school athletic complex.
Fulton - avenging a 4-0 loss at Mexico on Sept. 3 - improved to 11-4 on the season and 3-4 in the NCMC. The Hornets also bounced back after a 3-2 conference loss at Marshall on Oct. 7.
"(Monday) was a night where we had everything going our way for most of the game and then the tide turned," Fulton head coach Joel Henley said. "The guys did a great job to hold back the tide and finish off another win."
Sophomore forward Dominick Tharp opened the scoring for the Hornets off an assist from senior midfielder Clement Mahoro in the 21st minute of the first half. Freshman forward Christian Mahoro followed with an unassisted goal in the 32nd minute to give Fulton a 2-0 halftime edge.
The Hornets then appeared to be in control when junior forward Alban Dervishi scored off senior forward Mason Crane's assist in the 5th minute of the second half.
Mexico, though, attempted to make a comeback, finally getting on the scoreboard after converting a penalty kick in the 27th minute to make it 3-1. The Bulldogs pulled within a goal by scoring in the 35th minute, but Fulton was able to close out the narrow win.
Mexico edged Fulton 14-13 in overall shots and both teams finished with nine shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Logan Vanden Bosch recorded seven saves for the Hornets.
"This game was important for us as far as districts go," Henley said. "We knew that we needed to redeem ourselves after losing to Mexico earlier in the season. We were able to do that and keep ourselves in the driver's seat.
"I was really impressed by how our guys kept fighting and never gave up. We have really done a good job of learning how to finish games off."
Fulton (2-5-3) played to a 1-1 tie in the junior varsity game. Sophomore defender Trey Hawkins supplied the Hornets' lone goal off an assist from sophomore forward Josh Narancich.
Fulton plays at Southern Boone at 5 p.m. Thursday.