Bulldogs start season strong on road trip

Staff Report

HARRISBURG - The Harrisburg boys soccer team kicked off the season with a 2-1-1 record at the Effingham St. Anthony & Teutopolis Tournament.

The Bulldogs began play Tuesday with a 7-2 loss to host Teutopolis as Harrisburg got goals from Nolan Bebout and Eli Shires.

Bebout gave Harrisburg a 1-0 lead at halftime in Thursday's game at Effingham St. Anthony against Salem. The Wildcats would go on to sneak one into the net in the second half to bring things to a tie at buzzer.

On Saturday, Harrisburg returned to T-Town for a double-header to close out the tournament and once again BeBout would strike early to give the 'Dogs a 1-0 lead going into the half against Greenville.

Some staunch defense performances from Christian Oliver, Landon Simpson, Jack Winters and Kelsyn Fricker helped Harrisburg secure the win.

"I thought we played well in the Salem game but after our first goal I felt we kind of let off the gas pedal and costed into a win," second year head coach Jared Butler said.

Wrapping the long road trip up would be a match against Centralia Christ our Rock Lutheran and the Bulldogs would give up a early goal due a costly mistake in the box resulting in a converted penalty kick, but Harrisburg would go on to get goals from Jack Winters (2), Quinyon Thomas and Bebout (3).

"We have to do a better job of playing to our potential on a consistent basis," Butler said.

Harrisburg idle until Thursday when they travel to take on Mt. Carmel.