Eagles Take Second At Lebanon Tournament

In a span of three days, Sullivan’s defense stifled two opponents and nearly pulled off an upset, taking second place at the Lebanon Tournament.

Sullivan shut out Carl Junction 1-0 on August 30, returned the next day to shut out Fair Grove 1-0 and closed out the day with a 2-1 defeat against Lebanon.

For a team with aspirations of winning an outright conference championship and challenging for the district title, it was the type of defensive performance head coach Bill Kackley wanted to see.

Now there are just a few things to polish up.

“Even though we got beat by Lebanon, we possessed the ball and played in their end probably 90 percent of the game,” Kackley said. 

Sullivan reduced Lebanon to dumping and chasing the ball. The Yellowjackets had just three shots on goal. 

Kackley said the two goals could have been avoided. “One was a dump and another was on a penalty kick,” he said.

Despite logging just three goals in the three games, Kackley was pleased with the offense, especially since they kept their opponents at bay.

“Our scoring is down, but we’re controlling the game,” he said. “We need to a better job of finishing. I feel confidence we’re going to improve the more experience we get.”

Against Carl Junction and Fair Grove, Jacob Brooks had the winning goal in the second half. Logan McCummiskey had the assist.

Kackley said McCummiskey can give the Eagles an advantage on throw-ins.

“He has long throws,” he said, noting they took advantage of one in their 6-1 win against St. Clair on Thursday.

Ethan Kackley delivered a second-half goal against Fair Grove, with Brooks assisting.

Sullivan kept Fair Grove from putting up a single shot on goal.

Collin Farrell notched a goal for the Eagles in the championship game against Lebanon. Kevin Padilla was in on the assist.