Led by senior Kallie Jones’ four goals, the Hillcrest Lady Hornets handily defeated the Rogersville Lady Wildcats, 8-2, on Thursday night. Hillcrest had been having a hard time putting the ball in the net this season and after a tough loss to Rolla on Tuesday the Hornets were looking to redeem themselves. Hillcrest had no such problems with scoring tonight against the Wildcats.
“Against Rolla, we scored a goal on them, so that’s something not very many people do,” said Hillcrest coach Hanson. “Earlier in the season our sweeper that we usually play got taken out so we’ve had to adjust everything, get back to who we are playing and where we are putting them.”
After scoring the first three goals in the game to take a 3-0 lead, Hillcrest allowed Rogersville to get back into the game when the Lady Wildcats scored two goals in less than five minutes. Then Rogersville seemingly lost their concentration and allowed Hillcrest two more goals to make the score 5-2 at halftime.
“At halftime I said its like we get one and let them have two,” said Rogersville coach Brett Wubbena. “It seemed like we got excited about a goal and just forgot about the defense part. We’ve got to try to figure out how we can think—we’re not thinking well, we’re just kind of kicking—but every game the last several games, we’ve been improving.”
Jones had a hat trick in the first half and was pleased with her team’s efforts and the way they spread the ball around.
“I think that’s the most I’ve scored in a game so far,” said Jones. “I look up the line to the centers, that’s what I look for, and to the forwards every time. Usually they are there for me. Our left side is really strong, actually both sides are really strong, so if we can pass them the ball, they can get it in. The goal that I shot from the 20, it just slid right in, it was perfect.”
Hillcrest dominated the second half, keeping Rogersville from any true scoring opportunities.
“We played really well, it was one of our better games,” said Hillcrest senior Brooke Keeton. “We passed the ball well, for the most part. We stepped up our defense and it showed. We have three games next week, Kickapoo, Monett and Joplin, all games where we’ll definitely have to step up. I think we’re talking more and we’re getting better as a team.”
Hillcrest, who has struggled early in the season, is hoping this game will help to turn them around.
“We started putting stuff together, finally,” said Hanson. “When we run like we practice, then we start winning. We’ve had several times when, once we start putting movement together, keep the ball moving away from the other team, then we can score. Tonight was really good. Each game we’re getting better. As we are getting better, we’re doing more scoring and doing more winning. It’s just a learning process. We don’t sub a lot; they play the whole game and they’re getting better at it. Sometimes that’s better than trying to sub in 10 people. We’ve got people that play the whole game and they know they are going to play the whole game. We’re coming together.”
Hillcrest 8, Rogersville 2
Hillcrest 5-3—-8
Rogersville 2-0—-2
First half
Hillcrest – Jadan Adams
Hillcrest – Kallie Jones
Hillcrest – Kallie Jones
Rogersville – Jaden Leonarduzzi
Rogersville – Taylor Overstreet
Hillcrest – Kallie Jones
Hillcrest – Abigail Wilkinson
Second half
Hillcrest – Kallie Jones
Hillcrest -Abigail Wilkinson
Hillcrest – Alyssa Wilkinson
