Sullivan Dominates St. Clair In Home Opener

Sullivan’s offense dazzled in their home opener Thursday, erupting for five straight goals in a 6-1 victory against St. Clair.

Andrew Bell and Ethan Kackley each had two goals, while Collin Immekus and Austin Orick added one tally each.

Sullivan broke away with a late first-half goal by Kackley to break a 1-1 tie. Bell’s first goal minutes later gave some separation.

Three more goals in the second half provided the final difference.

The Eagles were coming off a second-place finish at the Lebanon Tournament on August 31, earned in part by a possession-heavy offense. Sullivan continued that against St. Clair. 

“We controlled the ball well tonight, but did better against some bigger, more physical opponents at Lebanon,” said head coach Bill Kackley. “We have to slow the game down and be more patient.”

Sullivan had shutouts against Carl Junction and Fair Grove in the tournament’s first two games. Kackley wanted to see another shutout performance against St. Clair.

“We gave up a bad goal tonight. We haven’t been giving up goals, so we need to clean up a few things,” he said.

The Eagles have changed up their offense to reflect their personnel. After two straight years of dominant scoring from Jacob Rohrer, Sullivan has moved to an offense that tries to maintain possession and generate scoring off passes.

Kackley said on Thursday, the team was getting in too many touches, so they changed up their formation, pinched in more and created more opportunities.

The ball mostly stayed in St. Clair’s end and made for an easy night for goalkeeper Kaleb White, who had to face just three shots. 

Ethan Kackley, who took a shot in the mouth at the Lebanon Tournament, has been limited in the last two games.

Sullivan Independent News

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