The final home match wasn't much fun for Marshall's seniors, like three-year letterman Regan Hartley. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Even in its relatively few losses this season, the rejuvenated Marshall girls' soccer team has not been out-classed.

However, Smith-Cotton dominated the Lady Owls during their home finale Thursday, a 6-1 non-conference rout. The Lady Tigers led 5-0 at halftime and emptied its bench the rest of the way.

Freshmen Kali Webb and Tiffany Wehmeyer, junior Kristi Miller and sophomore Jessica Greer connected for Smith-Cotton within the first 21 minutes of the contest. Junior Kassie Wehmeyer tacked on a goal before halftime and junior Lindsay Cornell made it 6-0 early in the second half.

Marshall's lone goal came off a steal and shot by all-NCMC freshman Shelby McCoy. The Lady Tigers out-gunned the home team, 18-3, with all-conference senior goalkeeper Xochitl Ruiz making 12 stops.

The Lady Owls had not allowed more than three goals in any match this season -- that in its first meeting against eventual NCMC champion Moberly during a 3-0 loss. Marshall would avenge that setback two weeks later with a 1-0 upset of the Lady Spartans for their only league loss.

That Smith-Cotton (21-4) would have such success against the Lady Owls reflected the type of season the Sedalia club has enjoyed, which has included a 10-0 run through the West Central Conference for its first title.

Marshall (12-7-2) will go to Excelsior Springs next week for the Class 1, District 13 Tournament. The Lady Owls' first-round opponent Monday will be St. Paul's of Concordia, which they beat in their first encounter and tied in the rematch.

Netters close with win

Senior Night was a happy occasion for a Marshall boys' tennis team which hasn't had as many of them as customary this season.

The Owls closed out the NCMC schedule Thursday with a 12-0 victory over visiting Mexico, with few moments of doubt.

Seniors Taylor Scarff (10-2) and Ross Crawford (10-0), juniors Max Bildstein (10-2) and Mac Evans (10-0), and sophomores John Van (10-3) and Ethan Murphy (10-3) made it a sweep in singles play.

The doubles teams of Scarff-Evans (10-1), Bildstein-Crawford (10-0) and Van-Murphy (10-0) had an easy time of it. The closest varsity match was a 10-6 win over the Bulldogs (3-7, 1-4 NCMC) at No. 1 doubles by sophomore Brandon Mullins and senior Matt Hockaday.

Closing out the whitewash was a 10-1 win at No. 5 doubles by sophomores Rick Schulenberg and Trey Clemens and a 10-4 decision at No. 6 by sophomores Mark Fry and Brett Clause.

Marshall (9-8, 2-3) will head to Hannibal on Saturday for the Class 1, District 4 Tournament.

Coaching changes in works

Like September is called the "silly season" on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit, with drivers changing teams, so is late spring for high school coaches.

Marshall High School is still looking for a head boys' basketball coach after one of the physical education instructor's positions -- created two years earlier while hiring Mike Baker -- was eliminated. That left Richard Berry without a job after one season of coaching the Owls to a 6-17 mark in his first-year as a prep court boss.

There's also a vacancy at the top of the boys' and girls' swimming programs, held during the first three years of existence by Amber Tottingham. Marshall athletic director Scott Latham said Wednesday that he's awaiting word from MSHSAA on specific guidelines before hiring a replacement.

Some other jobs have been filled.

Lady Owls head soccer coach Josh Posegate will take over the boys' team for Saline County High School director Derek Lark, while former Missouri Valley College athlete Danielle Charboneau will succeed Kelly Langhoff in guiding the softball program in its third season.

Replacing Mike Schwartz as mentor for the Lady Owls' two-time district champion volleyball team is Gentry Lark, wife of Derek Lark and a long-time assistant coach at Carrollton.