Menu
C3D1 soccer: Cape Central shuts out Poplar Bluff to advance to semifinals
Cape Central took full advantage of Poplar Bluff's lack of on-ball pressure in Saturday's Class 3 District 1 quarterfinal matchup.
The Tigers consistently attacked Poplar Bluff's defense, outshooting the Mules 23-2 en route to a 4-0 win at Cape Central High School.
While Cape Central won, the Tigers still had to overcome some adversity. Coach Jared Dobbs was proud of his team's ability to push through the anxiety of district play and come out on top.
"I thought at the start of the game we were a little setback, a little nervous making some unforced errors," Dobbs said. "But credit for the guys to come back, get their heads, keep their heads and start finding feet."
Poplar Bluff coach Rusty Crafton admitted his team struggled with the Tigers' offense.
"We just kind of sat back and assumed they were just going to pass, but they ripped," Crafton said. "We've got to have more on-the-ball pressure and get better at that. I think we just sat back a little too much and let them dictate the game."
The win marked the third of the season for Cape Central against the Mules, as the Tigers outscored Poplar Bluff 10-0 on the year.
"We just try to focus," Dobbs said. "It doesn't really matter the opponent, we just try to focus and play our game. We adhere to our game plan regardless of who it is. That's just the mentality and mindset we have to take into each game."
The Tigers got two goals and an assist from junior Preston Schlichting in a winning effort.
"He's a strong competitor," Dobbs said. "He wants to win and is just a pure goal scorer. We're lucky to have him."
The Tigers' other two goals came from senior Tim Kirby and freshman Joseph Cao.
"(Cao) hit just a tremendous, tremendous shot with his non-dominant foot," Dobbs said. "But the beauty of it is he laced it. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with the ball and found the back of the net. It was a fantastic shot."
While the Mules were unable to find the back of the net, senior goalkeeper Dawson Vaughan made it difficult for Cape Central to do so as well. Vaughan made nine saves in his final high school game.
"He's been a great leader for us," Crafton said. "He'll definitely be missed in the next few years because over the years he's made some great saves for us."
The victory marks the 13th shutout of the season for Cape Central.
"Credit to all the fullbacks, especially Sam (Cairns)," Dobbs said. "He's been a midfielder for the last three years in his high school career, and we needed someone to step up and play that center back. Sam has done that and done a brilliant job. The cohesiveness and connectivity that the four fullbacks have demonstrated all season has been great."
Second-seeded Cape Central (18-3-1) will face third-seeded Farmington in the Class 3 District 1 semifinals Tuesday at Cape Central High School.
"We just have to trust in our process again, go out there and stick to our game plan," Dobbs said. "We'll watch film tomorrow, train on Monday and we'll be after it on Tuesday."
Poplar Bluff's season ends with a 5-16 record, and the Mules will lose nine seniors — Owen Sutton, Colten Harris, Kyler Deaton, Blake Yarbro, Aiden Robertson, Jonathan Grimaldo, Anthony Curnutt, Gavin Aud and Vaughan — to graduation.
"They've been great leaders on the field and we'll definitely miss their leadership," Crafton said.