BROOKINGS – Maddix Archer scored seven goals as the Brookings girls’ soccer team routed the Huron Tigers 10-1 on Tuesday night at Fishback Soccer Park.
Archer scored just two minutes into the game to give Brookings a 1-0 lead, and added her second goal off an assist from Desirae Johnson to double the Bobcats lead. She then found the net again four minutes later to put Brookings up 3-0.
Huron got on the board with 11:45 remaining in the first half when Paw Hser Eh pulled the Tigers within two goals at 3-1.
Brookings responded, tallying four goals in the last 9:38 of the first half - two by Archer, and one each from Abby Mohs and Ella Bishard, to open a 7-1 lead at the horn.
Despite having a dominating 15-1 edge in shots on goal in the first half, Brookings head coach Adam Juba said his team wasn’t playing how they felt they should be playing, and the players were the ones to suggest second half adjustments.
“Our second half was better than our first half,” Juba said. “At halftime I asked the girls how they felt about the first half and a lot just shrugged their shoulders, and one of our seniors said we’re playing so frantically.
“I really worked with them at halftime and told them to settle down and that with the wind they’ll have a lot of time with the ball and to use it as an opportunity to pass the ball around and take some longer shots they normally wouldn’t.”
With that prevailing northern wind at their backs in the second half the Bobcats quickly added to their lead.
Bisgard netted her second goal off an assist from Johnson just under four minutes into the second half to extend the lead to 8-1.
Archer added her sixth goal with 16:13 remaining in the game to make it 9-1 and finalized the scoring with her seventh goal for the final 10-1 margin.
With the game in hand, Juba found opportunities to get playing time for several more players.
“Some of our seniors joined the team this year because they heard it was fun, but they don’t have a ton of soccer experience. Tonight provided an opportunity for me to get them in the game,” Juba said.
The Bobcats put 25 shots on goal compared to just two for the visiting Tigers.
Brooklyn McGuire made saves on one of two shots on goal.
“It feels great to get our first win and to put a lot of shots on goal,” added Juba.
Brookings (1-6) travels to Yankton on Thursday for a 6 p.m. matchup with the Gazelles.
