Right on cue: Pirates score flurry of goals in Pink Night victory over Bulldogs

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal girls soccer coach Eric Hill did not write a script for Thursday’s North Central Missouri Conference game against Mexico, but if he would have, it would have looked something like the Pirates’ 8-0 victory at the Veterans Sports Complex.

“We put on a show,” Hill said.

It lasted only 51 minutes. Pirates sophomore midfielder Danica Selle scored off a long cross from Malia Stolte with 28:49 remaining in regulation, putting the eight-goal mercy rule into effect.

“I was just waiting, got a nice touch and just put it in,” Selle said.

The Pirates (14-2-2, 8-0 NCMC) scored three goals in the first nine minutes of the game, two of those by junior striker Abbie Martin in a two-minute span. After scoring her second goal in the 10th minute, Martin moved to defense for the majority of the final 30 minutes of the half.

“Defense is a little scary, but it’s fun, too,” she said.

Martin moved back to her usual striker position to begin the second half and completed the hat trick in the 48th minute, putting home the Pirates’ fifth goal on a touch pass from junior midfielder Ashley Davis. This gave Martin her second consecutive hat trick. She scored three goals in the Pirates’ victory over Moberly on Wednesday. 

Hill said while it is nice to get Martin some time on defense to conserve some energy and gain experience at a different position, she is right where she belongs at striker.

“She’s up there for a reason,” Hill said. “She has great speed and athleticism, and she has a great touch, as well. Her shot has really developed over the three years. She just has a knack for scoring.”

The Pirates’ early lead and flurry of goals allowed them to rotate in players off the bench and give the starters some rest. That could prove pivotal as the Pirates leave Friday for the Camdenton Tournament where they will play three games in less than 24 hours, including a doubleheader on Saturday.

“It was important to get everyone rotations and get everyone in so no one was tired this weekend,” Selle said.

Freshman midfielder Aly Falconer, who scored two goals in the second half, agreed with Selle.

“This tournament is always a good one, so we all need to make sure our legs are good and rested because we obviously don’t want any injuries,” Falconer said.

Thursday was also Pink Night, on which the Hannibal soccer community recognizes and honors those who have fought and continue to fight cancer. Falconer said this night means a great deal to everyone involved, especially people like her who have lost a family member or friend to this disease.

“I think it really touches a lot of people’s hearts and just makes them feel cared for and thought about,” Falconer said.