By Fred Kroner
Ethan Merritt’s second hat trick of the season accounted for the first three goals of the match on Tuesday (Sept. 12) as Oakwood/Salt Fork earned a 7-0 shutout at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin.
Brody Taflinger, Trevor McCall, Aidan O’Brien and Jacob Pricer netted the Comets’ other goals.
Macen Phillips assisted on three of the goals. Other assists were by Cooper Myers, Ty Smoot, McCall and Cooper McCrae.
The Comets held a 42-6 edge on total shot attempts. Oakwood/Salt Fork goalkeeper Jakob Rupp produced four saves.
On Wednesday (Sept. 13) in Urbana, the Comets dropped a 5-2 decision to Uni High.
Merritt hit the first Oakwood/Salt Fork goal. When O’Brian scored in the second half, with an assist from Thomas Wells, it created a 2-2 deadlock, but the Illineks took control thereafter.
Uni High held a 26-10 edge on total shots.
Rupp matched his season’s high with nine saves. Grant Brewer collected one save.
The Comets (5-6-1) return to action on Thursday (Sept. 14) at Schlarman Academy.
