Panther boys crush Chiefs

Mt. Pleasant simply dominated their home boys' soccer game against Keokuk on Thursday evening. The Panthers cruised 12-3 to win their fifth game in six tries to start the season.

It didn't take long for Mt. Pleasant to put a goal on the board. Cade Warner broke a scoreless tie in just the fifth minute, popping it in the net off a cross from Nathan Rauenbuehler to make it 1-0 early.

Ovidio Reyes-Cardona had the next two goals. He scored one right after Warner's goal, and then scored on a header off a Rauenbuehler cross with just under 31 minutes left to stretch the lead to 3-0.

Rauenbuehler sent one in himself with 27:36 remaining in the first half, getting an assist from Ethan Oilar. Reyes-Cardona completed his hat-trick shortly after, tapping in a shot from Oilar.

Oscar Barrios scored a goal with 11:17 showing on the first half clock, beating the Keokuk keeper on a fastbreak. Rauenbuehler earned a penalty kick with 3:44 left and sank the PK to make it 7-1.

Keokuk scored on a free kick to cut the lead to six goals, but Mt. Pleasant stretched it back to seven before halftime. Rauenbuehler found Warner on another cross and Warner scored his second goal of the game with just 5.8 seconds remaining.

Keokuk scored twice in the second half, but Mt. Pleasant scored four more before it was all said and done. Rauenbuehler scored on a header with 28;30 remaining. Warner scored with 13:50 showing on the clock. Barriors put one in with 13:14 left, and Rauenbuehler scored once again with 11:41 on the clock.

The Panthers are now 5-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play. They will head to Ft. Madison for their next game, on Monday, April 15.