Vols blank Chiefs in match at home

It was a chance for another win on Thursday for the Starkville Academy Volunteers with playoffs right around the corner.

More on the minds of the Vols was just being able to play a full match.

They got their wish in a 5-0 decision over the Magnolia Heights Chiefs at the Starkville Sportsplex.

“This was a really good win (Thursday night), but I’m not very pleased with how we played,” Starkville Academy soccer coach JoJo Dodd said. “We didn’t play our version of soccer (Thursday night), but we’ll work on it as we prepare for playoffs on Monday at Indianola Academy. We expect to win there and see Heritage Academy one more time.”

In the second minute, Brody Pierce scored on a booming kick to give the Vols a 1-0 lead.

Bates Bennett snuck in a quick kick in the 16th minute and Starkville Academy extended its lead to 2-0 and took the lead to the half.

In the 52nd minute, Pierce crossed over the Magnolia Heights goalie and scored his second goal of the night, extending the lead for the Vols to 3-0.

“This was a great way to end the regular season,” Pierce said. “Going to playoffs, we play Indianola Academy. They’re a very good team and in order to get past them, we need to execute better passes and put them in the goal.”

Starkville Academy scored extended its lead to 4-0 in the 54th minute off the big boot of Charlie Guest.

In the 77th minute, Carson Couch connected from downtown and the lead was 5-0 through the remainder of play.

Starkville Academy (7-7) returns to action Monday at 3 p.m. for the first round of the MAIS playoffs at Indianola Academy.