Not even a minute into Simon Kenton’s matchup with Carroll County, Nasser Hussein found Parker Monson for a goal and an early lead.
That was all the Pioneers needed.
Simon Kenton added seven more goals over the next 56 minutes of game action, triggering the mercy rule with 24 minutes remaining in an 8-0 win over Carroll County in the 8th Region quarterfinals Monday night at Chlorine B. Menefee Stadium in Independence.
The Pioneers defeated Carroll County 9-1 on the same field just 18 days earlier. While the margin of victory was similar, Simon Kenton head coach Jeremy Wolfe felt his team put together a better performance this time around.
“I thought we played better tonight than we did in the regular season,” Wolfe said. “Once we scored our first goal, I think we scored three or four more pretty quick. That first goal is so important because you never know what will happen. Every game is different. Just because you beat a team earlier in the season doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again, and it was nice to get the first one and take a breath.”
The Pioneers’ offensive firepower starts with Hussein and senior Marco Barrios, who proved difficult for Carroll County to contain.
Hussein recorded a hat trick and added two assists, including the final goal that brought the match to an early end.
“It felt good to get some shots on frame and connecting with teammates,” Hussein said. “I’m just glad we’re able to take them out and move on to the semifinals.”
Barrios added two goals and two assists of his own, giving the Pioneers another dynamic scoring threat.
“Between them they have over 40 goals,” Wolfe said. “They’re a handful together, especially like they were tonight. They’re tough, and it’s tough on a defense to stop.”
Senior Brayden Ross also made his presence felt, contributing two goals and an assist in the dominant performance.
With the quarterfinal win, Simon Kenton advances to the 8th Region semifinals for the second consecutive season. The Pioneers will face North Oldham at Grant County on Thursday at 8 p.m., with a spot in the region championship game on the line.
PIONEERS 8, PANTHERS 0
SIMON KENTON — 6-2 — 8
CARROLL COUNTY — 0-0 — 0
Game Stats
Goals: (SK) Monson 1′, Barrios 9′, Ross 11′, Hussein 11′, Ross 13′, Hussein 18′, Barrios 53′, Hussein 56′
Assists: (SK) Barrios 2, Hussein 2, Ross
Shots (On Goal): Simon Kenton 26 (14), Carroll County 5 (2)
Saves: Simon Kenton 2 (Williams), Carroll County 6 (Willhoite)
Corner Kicks: Simon Kenton 7, Carroll County 0
Fouls: Simon Kenton 5, Carroll County 11
Offsides: Simon Kenton 1, Carroll County 0
Records: Simon Kenton 13-11, Carroll County 5-15
