McClellon scores twice to lead Sikeston girls soccer team to dominant win over Perryville

Sikeston's Larysa McClellon controls the ball against Perryville Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the Sikeston Sports Complex. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

SIKESTON -- Coming off a hard-fought, double overtime loss to Marion, Ill., on Monday night, Sikeston soccer coach Gabe Dement wasn't sure how his girls would respond in Tuesday's home game against Perryville.

The Lady Bulldogs responded in a big way, dominating the visiting Lady Pirates to the tune of a 3-0 win.

"I thought we played well," Dement said. "I wasn't sure how much heart we would be able to put out there and how much our legs would be there.

Sikeston's Mackenzie Yant heads the ball against Perryville Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the Sikeston Sports Complex. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

"I thought we really possessed the ball well. We had lots of opportunities. We didn't finish as much as you would like to see but the fact that we were creating those chances was great."

Sikeston scored just over five minutes into the game when Larysa McClellon scored the first of her two goals on an assist from Kylie Lossing.

In the 28th minute, Sikeston went ahead 2-0 when a shot from Kyle Noe, assisted from Mackenzie Yant, slipped past the Perryville goalie.

McClellon capped off the scoring in the 59th minute when the senior slammed home a ball that ricocheted off players on a corner kick from teammate Emma Jones.

While Sikeston was getting plenty of chances to score, their defense, anchored by goalkeeper Madeline Witt, held Perryville (3-11) at bay the entire game. The shutout was Witt's fourth of the season.

"I challenged the defense, especially Madeline Witt, to stay focused for a full 80 minutes and get a shutout and sure enough we did that," Dement said. "From keeper to forwards I thought we played well."

Sikeston improves to 8-5 as the win was the Lady Bulldogs' fourth in their last five games.

"I think the last couple weeks, even with that Marion loss, I thought we've been playing well," Dement said. "We've been possessing the ball well, we've been creating chances and we've been good defensively. If we can maintain and hopefully take it up a few notches as the season goes then I will feel good about our district chances."

Sikeston will be in action Thursday when they take on Fredericktown in the Notre Dame Showcase in Cape Girardeau, Mo.