By Fred Kroner
Ethan Merritt scored a hat trick and teammate Ty Smoot assisted on three goals on Tuesday night (Aug. 22) as the Oakwood/Salt Fork soccer team opened its season at home with a 9-0 victory over Schlarman Academy.
The Comets led, 7-0, at intermission. Oakwood produced 43 shots during the game and prevented Schlarman from attempting a shot.
Brody Taflinger, who scored the season’s first goal for Oakwood/Salt Fork, finished with two goals. Teammates who netted one goal apiece were Macen Phillips, Connor Smith, Derek Drews and Cooper Myers.
Other squad members with assists were Phillips, Drews and Saul Carrillo.
Sharing the goal-keeping duties in the opener were Jakob Rupp and Grant Brewer.
Oakwood/Salt Fork (1-0) is scheduled to return to action on Thursday (Aug. 24) at Watseka.
