Sikeston earns third-place finish at Greg Kline Invitational

Sikeston’s Heath Poindexter (7) takes a shot during the Greg Kline Invitational in Carbondale, Ilinois this past weekend. (Submitted)

The Sikeston boys soccer team had a strong opening weekend, finishing third at the Greg Kline Invitation in Carbondale, Illinois.

The Bulldogs finished with a 2-1 record and seniors Heath Poindexter II and Joshua McClendon received all-tournament honors.

“I was proud of everyone’s effort,” said Sikeston coach Gabe Dement. “The boys played hard throughout the tournament and showed a lot of fight despite the high temperatures.”

Sikeston's Joshua McClendon (1) competes during the Greg Kline Invitational in Carbondale, Ilinois this past weekend. (Submitted)

Sikeston defeated Carbondale’s B-team in its first game on Friday, Aug. 26. Carbondale fielded two squads to complete the eight-team bracket. The Bulldogs won 4-1. Poindexter had a pair of goals, and McClendon and senior Brice Gordon each had one goal. Sophomore Jeremiah and senior JM Boner each had an assist.

The Bulldogs went up 4-0 in the first half before taking their foot on the gas in the second half.

Sikeston lost to Perryville on Saturday, Aug. 27. The team ended regulation scoreless but the Pirates won 6-5 on penalty kicks.

Boner, Poindexter, Gordon, McClendon and junior Carter Grimes were all successful on their penalty kick attempts.

“We couldn’t have been more proud of the effort and attitude we got out of the boys,” Dement said. “Perryville had more possession than we did, but we stayed organized defensively and were able to shut them out [in regulation]. We challenged them to have better attitude and effort in the Saturday matches and they responded well.”

Sikeston defeated Poplar Bluff 5-3 in the third-place game. It was the first time since 2018 that the Bulldogs were vicious against the Mules.

“We came out playing well with a free kick goal from midfield by [McClendon] being a catalyst to our quick start,” Dement said.

Poindexter and Levi Douglass each scored a goal to extend the lead to 3-0 at the half. Poindexter added another goal to start the second half and increase the lead to 4-0.

However, Poplar Bluff fought back to make it 4-3 before Grimes scored an Olimpico goal to make it 5-3. An Olimpico goal is a goal that is scored directly from a corner kick.

Wade finished the game with three assists.

Boner had 19 total saves in goal during the three contests.

Sikeston will be back in action when it hosts Marion (Ill.) on Thursday, Sep. 1.