If a person were to ask Perryville boys soccer coach Jerry Fulton about his team's performace in Tuesday's jamboree, he would be thrilled. The Pirates hosted a three-team event with Sikeston and Northwest at the Bank of Missouri Soccer Complex.
"I think it was a huge success for us," Fulton said. "Northwest is a great team, and are very fast. They are a Class 4 team so for us to stay with them, I was very pleased. Their coach even said to us that we have a good team here."
Perryville went toe-to-toe with Northwest tying them 1-1 in 35 minutes of action. Perryville blanked Sikeston 1-0 in the other scrimmage earlier in the night.
Fulton noted that the defense was something that his team needed to work on from the St. Louis Varsity Showcase earlier this summer.
"I thought we were very solid," Fulton said.
Carson Adams the goal against Northwest off a corner kick with about 20 minutes remaining.
Northwest countered with a goal from the top of the box with 10 minutes remaining.
Fulton noted that the goalkeeper position is also up for grabs between junior Ashton Anshultz and freshman Waylon Huber. Anshultz made a trio of nice plays in the opening minutes against Northwest early in the contest.
Fulton said earlier this summer that the competion would come down to the wire.
“In my opinion, they played pretty even,” Fulton said. “We will keep watching until one of them is able to shine more over the other. Right now, it’s a close call.”
The Pirates are attempting to replace its top three scorers as well from last season, including two 40-goal scorers. Fulton felt like the opportunities were there Tuesday to score.
"I think we should have had more," Fulton said. "That will pick up and its something I am not worried about. We keep possessing the ball and attacking we will create opportunities."
Perryville will kick off its season in the Greg Kline Tournament in Carbondale beginning Aug. 26.
