Raiders pepper Festus goal in first half

DESLOGE — Zack Harris produced two goals on rebounds and fellow senior Ethan Salazar netted his 15th marker of the season in the first half on Monday, as the North County soccer team defeated Festus 4-0.

The Raiders (8-4) aggressively fired 14 shots at Festus keeper Brock Hampton before intermission, pouncing on several second chances which could have been prevented near the mouth of the goal.

Harris  increased his season total to five goals with a pair in a span of eight minutes. After a high bounce over Hampton found Harris open at the 24:00 mark, Harris cleaned up a blocked shot from Phillip Wrabetz to make it 3-0.

Salazar terminated a loose ball to begin the scoring in the 20th minute after a sinking drive from Wrabetz dropped behind several Festus defenders.

Wrabetz then scored his ninth of the season on a curling direct kick in the 35th after Salazar was tripped outside the penalty area, resulting in a four-goal difference at halftime.

Cody Huff stopped two shots during the opening five minutes of an otherwise quiet opening stanza, and recorded the shutout with seven total saves for the Raiders (8-4).

Festus earned consecutive corner kicks after Huff tipped a dangerous shot over the end line during the 51st minute, but could not redirect either ball toward the goal with sustained pressure.

Tigers defender Keith Alexander prevented two more potential goals minutes later by clearing two balls behind the keeper. Another long shot from Jake Cavins was corralled, and a subsequent drive by Wrabetz narrowly missed the far post.

Each team was given a yellow card during the match, as Festus suffered its seventh straight loss.