Bulldogs pick-up back-to-back Apollo Conference wins
By Fred Kroner
Junior Cayla Koerner put together the best two-game stretch in the history of Mahomet-Seymour girls’ soccer to start the week, scoring 11 goals and assisting on three others as the Bulldogs posted back-to-back Apollo Conference victories.
Koerner scored six goals and added two assists on Tuesday (May 11) as Mahomet-Seymour shut out Mattoon 9-0 in an Apollo Conference girls’ soccer match at Middletown Field.
“Cayla Koerner was ubiquitous for the ‘Dogs,” M-S coach Jeremy Davis said. “Her speed and ball-winning were unable to be matched by the Mattoon defenders, who appeared to be traipsing through Jello.”
M-S led 6-0 at intermission.
Nyah Biegler contributed two goals and two assists. Brea Benson added one goal and three assists. Lauren Schnepper also had an assist.
On Wednesday (May 11), Koerner added five more goals and another assist as M-S went on the road and thumped Taylorville 8-1.
“Cayla Koerner continued to be a debonair 00 agent when it comes to finishing,” Davis said. “Once again, she was able to incise into the backline and cleanly finish throughout the night.”
Benson, Biegler and Schnepper hit one goal apiece. Additionally, Benson was credited with three assists.
Biegler, Schnepper, Maddison Claybrooke and Elise Hertling all had one assist.
“Brea Benson was able to consistently star as Koerner’s Q and set her up for success,” Davis said. “Benson, Biegler and (Abigail) Bunting have consistently won the midfield both tonight and throughout this season.
“There were 21 50/50 balls in the air throughout the night, and the Bulldogs won 17 of them.”
M-S carried a 4-1 lead into intermission.
“Meanwhile, the backline of Claybrooke, (Kelsey) Jacobs, (Kallie) Stutstman and (Janel) Straub, were able to channel their inner zen, and with a monastic calm earn their highest pass completion rating of the year, connecting on 40 of 45 passes on the night,” Davis added.
Overall, M-S is 8-1 and returns to action on Thursday (May 13) at home against Morton. Mattoon has a 7-3 season record and is in third place in the Apollo standings, trailing both M-S and Mount Zion.
Just past the midway mark of the Apollo Conference schedule, the Bulldogs are 6-0 in league matches and have outscored the opposition 51-2.
