MHS soccer: Owls move on to semifinal round

BOONVILLE -- Kirksville held the high-scoring Marshall boys' soccer team in check for a while, but couldn't prevent the Owls from taking a 2-0 decision in the first round of the Class 2, District 7 Tournament.

The artificial surface at Boonville, to where Saturday's matches were moved due to wet conditions at Moberly, didn't appear to help the Birds -- who went in averaging 4.36 goals per match. Marshall had only a 2-1 advantage over the Tigers (10-14) in shots on goal during the first half.

However, the Owls struck twice within a four-minute span midway through the second frame. Senior Ebert Alvarez set up sophomore Erik Moreņo for a drive inside the left goal post in the 19th minute and then converted a feed from junior Jon Najera by hitting close to the same spot.

Junior goalkeeper Jacob Phillips made five saves for his 11th shutout of the season.

Marshall (19-4) advanced into Tuesday's semifinal round, where it will take on Moberly -- which has won three previous meetings with the Owls, all by one-goal margins.