Bulldogs show league-leading form

Fort Scott senior Cody McKay (32) makes his best effort to keep Independence's Phillip Byrd from advancing the ball during a Southeast Kansas League contest at Frary Field Thursday afternoon. The visiting Bulldogs took the contest by a score of 9-0. (Tribune photo/Scott Nuzum).

It was just a case of Indy being Indy -- at least in the first half of play at Ellis Park Thursday evening.

The Bulldogs, who have won or shared the last four Southeast Kansas League championships, took a 9-0 win over Fort Scott High in a league soccer match. The Bulldogs, 3-0 in the SEK, 5-1-1 overall, had beaten the Tigers 10-0 in the first meeting of this season.

But although the Bulldogs held a 7-0 lead at halftime, the Tigers came out in the second half determined to show something and they did. Although Indy tacked on two more goals -- one coming in the game's final minute -- Fort Scott's play improved somewhat.

Eight different players scored the nine Independence goals. Connor Cushing scored Nos. 1 and 4 in the sixth and 19th minutes to help build a 4-0 lead early.

Brad Parsons moved into goal at halftime for the Tigers and played like someone who wanted his job back. He had started the season opener against Indy in goal but was moved out because head coach David Gray felt his skills were needed elsewhere.

But Parsons allowed only the two second-half goals on six shots. And now it appears as if the Tigers might have the luxury of having two or three good goalies.

The Tigers, 0-5 in the SEK and 0-6 overall, will step out of league play Saturday when they host Paola. Their next two outings after that will be in Coffeyville. They'll take on the Golden Tornado in a league match Tuesday then take part in the Coffeyville Tournament Sept. 29.

JUNIOR VARSITY -- Griffin Hulbert, Max McAllister and Allen Pearson scored second-half goals to lead the Tigers to a 3-1 win over Independence. Kholton Dwyer assisted on McAllister's 45th-minute goal. Kenny Withers assisted on Pearson's goal in the 53rd minute.

Nathan Cushing scored Independence's only goal in the 59th minute of the 60-minute match.

Grant Wells faced four shots and made three saves in goal for the Tigers, who are now 2-2-1 on the season. Fort Scott fired off 14 shots, seven of which were on goal.

The JV team will play Paola Saturday and go to Coffeyville Tuesday then will be idle until Oct. 1.

NOTES -- Kevin Krier of the Coffeyville Journal noted that Columbus outshot Coffeyville 38-4 as the Titans took a 1-0 victory in league play Thursday....

Pittsburg's goals in a 6-2 home win over Joplin Thomas Jefferson were scored by two players. Ryan Williams and Cesar Granadeno each had hat tricks for the Purple Dragons....

Goalkeepers

In -- Dylan Craft (3 saves). FS -- Grant Wells (12 shots faced, 5 saves), Brad Parsons 41st minute (6 shots faced, 4 saves).

Scoring

In -- Connor Cushing (Ryan Hayse), 6th minute.

In -- Hayse (unassisted), 9th.

In -- Dan Gross (unassisted), 13th.

In -- Cushing 2 (unassisted), 19th.

In -- Bry Thomas (Shane Ferguson), 25th.

In -- Marcus Wright (unassisted), 26th.

In -- Mason Posch (unassisted), 40th.

In -- Cameron Schicke (Austin Schroeder), 55th.

In -- Ferguson (unassisted), 79th.