MOUNT VERNON — In its final tuneup before beginning play in the Ohio Capital Conference, the Mount Vernon boys soccer team found its engine running smoothly on all cylinders.
Justin Furey had a hat trick and five other players scored as the Yellow Jackets dismantled visiting Mansfield Senior 11-0 on Saturday.
“This was a nice win which puts us at 3-0. Mentally, the guys are getting ready for the heat of the conference with Olentangy Orange,” said Mount Vernon coach Scott Dapprich. “We’ve had a few bumps and a few bruises, so today was a good day to get a lot of the younger guys some quality playing time.
“We had some great touches. I really liked how we passed the ball and today, we finished, and that helps.”
The Jackets (3-0) wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Furey scored the first of his three goals off a throw-in from Trent Kiger less than 1 1/2 minutes into the game.
Furey added an assist just a few minutes later when he found Collin Riley off a nicely played corner kick. He also assisted on the third goal on another nice corner kick. This time, however, the ball was headed into the net by Mansfield’s Nathan Eith.
Furey got two more goals in the first half, one via header and the other off a nice feed from Chris Israel as time was winding down in the half.
Junior Sam Miller also got into the act, scoring on a nice run with 6:47 left in the half. The Jackets led 6-0 at halftime.
“To win, we’ve got to capitalize on our opportunities and we did that today. We hit our targets and moved the ball well,” Dapprich said.
There was no letdown from the Jackets in the second half, as they scored four more goals in the first 13 minutes. Israel scored twice, including a nice run down the left side and off a nice feed into the box by Cameron McMahon. McMahon also scored off a nice lob pass from Brandyn McQuigg, and Miller added his second goal of the game. The Jackets’ final score came when Kyle Henthorn headed in a goal off an assist by Devin Whyte.
“We’re right where we need to be right now,” Dapprich said. “The thing I’m most impressed with is how our bouncers have come in and filled in with some quality minutes and played some quality balls to the more experienced guys. It’s nice to see them step up.”
The Jackets poured in 18 shots on goal, while allowing just three for the Tygers. Keepers Chris Omahan and Daniel Baker combined for the shutout in goal.
Mount Vernon’s road gets tough in a hurry, though, as Olentangy Orange, the OCC champ last year, visits “The Hive.” Game time Tuesday is 5 p.m. for the junior varsity.
“It’ll be a challenge. They beat us last year, but we play them here this time. We’ll see if we can give them a ballgame,” Dapprich said.
The Mount Vernon junior varsity team also posted a victory, beating the Tygers 2-0.
Miles Kahrl scored off an assist from Ben Gillen for one goal, while Ben Cochran scored on another off an assist from Corey Kester.