Lady Spartan Soccer extends streak to eight

The Moberly Lady Spartans took the field Thursday for the first time as the 2010 North Central Missouri Conference Champions when they hosted the Fulton Hornets. Moberly, who has won seven in a row extended their streak to eight games as they were able to edge Fulton 2-1 in one of their final games before the Class 2, District 7 Tournament begins on May 15. Thursday was also Moberly’s senior night and before the game the Lady Spartan seniors were honored. Moberly is graduating seven soccer players this spring including Amy Hudson, Jessie Gamble, Katie Macomber, Jody Wilson, Bethany Swindell, Blair Haskamp and Shaylyn Cooksey.

It took about 15 minutes into the first half for Moberly to get on the board when Junior Sydney Armstrong netted the first goal on an assist from Senior Shaylyn Cooksey. Moberly’s 1-0 lead didn’t last long when 3 minutes later Fulton’s Kara Henry scored a goal on one of their only good opportunities to score in the game.

The difference in the game would come in the thirtieth minute when sophomore Kelly Ross was pushed down out of mid air inside the 18-yard box going to win a far post cross from junior Tierney Seifert. The foul was called and a penalty kick was awarded to Moberly. Sophomore Kelli Westhues was called upon to take the shot and successfully buried the shot in the right corner of the goal and would prove to be the game winner and keep Moberly’s NCMC record perfect at 11-0.

Moberly outshot Fulton 19-6 in the game and would lead you to believe that the score should have been more one-sided and if you ask MHS Soccer coach Robbie Murray he’d tell you that his team still has room to improve. Which to an opposing team sounds pretty intimidating given that the Lady Spartans have wrapped up a third consecutive conference championship and are currently ranked 6^th in class 2 girls soccer. “Although we had some good looks at goal, we didn’t do enough offensively to put the game away.　Right now we are struggling to get everyone on the same page, there is too much hesitancy and indecision in our play.　However it is something that I see us working out of soon and getting back on track.”

The Lady Spartans are now 18-2 overall and 11-0 in the NCMC, Moberly will play host to the District Tournament that begins on Friday, May 15.

Photo Above: Spartan soccer recognizes its seven seniors before last Thursday’s matchup with the Fulton Hornets. Seniors, standing with their parents, are from left,Jody Wilson, Bethany Swindell, Katie Macomber, Amy Hudson, Blair Haskamp, Jessie Gamble and Shaylyn Cooksey.