Farmington soccer squad holds Festus without shot

Farmington senior James Coleman (25) scores with a corner header that deflects off Festus keeper Matt Martin during second half boys soccer action on Thursday evening in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

FARMINGTON – After patiently moving the ball through the midfield area for about 10 minutes, the Farmington boys soccer team began to exploit open creases in the Festus defense.

Eight different players posted goals, and the Knights celebrated their deep senior class by limiting the visiting Tigers without a shot attempt in an 8-0 blowout on Thursday night.

The match carried a friendly tone from the outset, and the teams combined for only three fouls. But possession was heavily dominated by Farmington (9-2).

Farmington senior Logan Kiepe sends a long pass toward teammate Reid Parson for an eventual goal during first half boys soccer action against Festus on Thursday evening in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

Reid Parson opened the scoring by chasing down a long through ball from captain Logan Kiepe and drilling a rising shot from the right edge of the box past Festus goalie Matt Martin.

The Knights produced 25 total shots, and capitalized again 42 seconds later on a flurry of activity in the box. Martin made two excellent saves before Parson slid a pass to an unmarked Landon Veach.

Logan Schaupert garnered most of his touches when the back line reset possession. The winning keeper collected one wide bounce that failed to connect for Festus (2-11).

Cole Vogel attacked along the end line to generate the lone corner by the Tigers. The ensuing try eluded any possible redirection in the 28th minute.

Farmington made it 3-0 on another cross from Cole Wofford to Kale Tiefenauer on the doorstep after teammate Nicholas McAllister alertly retreated to break up a diagonal counter.

The Knights then executed one of their best sequences of the contest in the 32nd minute. It began as Devin Stricklin eluded a sliding tackle and accelerated down the right sideline.

Passes by Stricklin and Tiefenauer guided the ball to the opposite side, and Wofford tallied his second assist when freshman Brody Wilson beat a defender to the back post.

A giveaway on the back line resulted in a steal and unassisted goal by McAllister from 20 yards away moments later, and Farmington carried a commanding 5-0 lead into halftime.

Martin finished with 11 saves for the Tigers, but could only deflect a header by James Coleman off a McAllister corner as the carom trickled over the goal line.

Farmington freshman Brody Wilson, left, reacts after scoring a goal during first half boys soccer action against Festus on Thursday in Farmington.

Farmington forward Reid Parson (11) shoots and scores during first half boys soccer action against Festus on Thursday in Farmington.

Dustin Randazzo anchored the defensive effort with Asher Rique in the first half, but was involved in creating the last two goals by the Knights once shifting to a forward role.

His first scoring chance came when Parson outworked two Festus players for possession and found Randazzo for a turning 25-yard drive that Martin tipped upward and corralled.

But Farmington resumed its onslaught in the 71st minute when Randazzo split two defenders on a move from the deep left edge and set up Owen DeGroot for an easy finish.

Schaupert bolstered the closing goal with 6:14 remaining after leaving the box to send a midfield ball toward a group of players in the box.

A high bounce was misjudged and found Randazzo, who rattled the crossbar before persevering in a scramble to punch home the loose rebound for his team-high seventh of the season.

The Knights will hit the road next week for clashes with Sikeston and Marquette.

Farmington midfielder Brodey Williamson (4) dribbles past Festus defender Chase Allen (8) during second half boys soccer action on Thursday night in Farmington.

Farmington back Dustin Randazzo pushes forward with possession during first half boys soccer action against Festus on Thursday night in Farmington.

Farmington midfielder Kale Tiefenauer (3) passes to start a counter attack during first half boys soccer action against Festus on Thursday night in Farmington.

Farmington forward Landon Veach (20) scores on a rebound past fallen Festus keeper Matt Martin during first half boys soccer action on Thursday in Farmington.