Sikeston's Amy Rushing (11) heads the ball in the first half Thursday afternoon against Fredericktown at the Sikeston Sports Complex. Looking on is Sikeston's Jennifer Millington (14). (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

By Andrew Powell ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com

SIKESTON -- If the old saying is true, that all good things must come to an end, then the last game of the regular season couldn't have ended any better for the Sikeston girls soccer team Thursday afternoon.

On a day dedicated to the upperclassmen, the only thing that seemed to shine brighter than the seniors was the Lady Bulldogs as a whole in rout of their 10-0 victory over Fredericktown.

"It was a great senior night for these girls," said Sikeston head coach Derrick Long. "Anytime you can score ten goals and get everybody involved in the game it's obviously a good win.

Sikeston wasted little time after the opening kickoff, scoring their first goal seven minutes in on a shot by Morgan Fraser. Unfortunately for Fredericktown however, the relentless Bulldog attack was just getting underway as four more goals in the ' half would keep constant pressure in the Lady Cats backfield.

One of the four goals would come off the foot of underclassmen Natalie Bohannon, who connected for her first varsity goal at the 16-minute mark off an assist from Amy Rushing.

But leading the main charge for SHS was senior Jordi Ferrell who earned a hat trick in the first forty minutes of play; scoring at the eight minute mark, the 25-minute mark and right before the end of the half at the 39-minute mark.

"I was really " proud of the way " we came out and played tonight, said Ferrell. I really wanted to come out and do well " for my parents so it was nice to end on a good note.

However, despite the 5-0 halftime lead Sikeston was far from over as they trotted back on to the field to start the second half.

They would then go on to expand their lead to 9-0, after scoring four goals before the fifty minute mark.

"It was nice to finally see us put some goals into the net instead of " hoping they " would go in like we had been doing, said Long. Heading into districts Monday you definitely want your offense to be connecting on those opportunities " and we really seemed to be doing that tonight.

Four different Lady Bulldogs would connect during that 10-minute span which opened the half. Ferrell once again found the net at the 42-minute mark while Laura Atchison would earn the second goal at the half one minute later. Blair Kelly would then get in on the scoring action at the 45 minute mark as senior Katie De La Rosa would cap off the 9-0 lead four minute later.

"It's always exciting to get a goal," said De La Rosa. "Being that I usually play as sweeper, I rarely get a chance to score so it was nice to get up there and get a goal and have a fun time doing it."

Sikeston would later go on to put the exclamation mark on the game at the 74-minute mark on a header by senior Jennifer Millington. While goalie Amber Minner picked up the 10-0 shutout victory.

"We were all really excited because it was our last night playing at home," said Millington. "It was really nice to score some goals, have a good time and go out on a win. Can't say we're not going to miss it but I do believe the team will be in good hands next year."

Sikeston will be giving farewells to six varsity members this year, five of which have been four-year starters. Players include captains Ferrell, De La Rosa, and Millington as well as Atchison, Kaitlyn Turnbow and Minner.