FLEMINGSBURG — Lucas Pinkley netted two goals with the final one being the game-winner as Fleming County topped St. Patrick 3-2, Tuesday in Flemingsburg.

The win for the Panthers was their third in their last four games, the other being a tie with Mason County on Saturday. The Panthers were on the attack early and often, Logan Thompson striking first in the fourth minute with a goal.

“We had a strong defense for the most part, couple mistakes here or there, but overall played well and maintained from keeping their attack from coming at us,” Panthers coach Dallas Hicks said. “

Pinkley was able to find the back of the net for his first goal of the day in the 21st minute, giving the Panthers a 2-1 edge.

“Today was a big emphasis on shooting and actually putting the ball on frame. I felt we did a really good job of that today,” Hicks said.

Alain Lopez scored on a penalty kick in the seventh minute to knot the game up at 1-all. The Saints had to feel snakebit in the first half after that, hitting the post numerous times, failing to put another in net.

Coming out of the half spirited and on the attack, Marvin Koch found the equalizer in the 42nd minute to even the game up at two apiece.

“That was probably the best 20 minutes of soccer we’ve played most of this season. That ball just didn’t want to go in the net for us today. We hit the post four or five times,” Saints coach Father Michael Black said.

The Saints had some chances from there but squandered them, Pinkley adding another goal 19 minutes later to give the Panthers the 3-2 lead.

Pinkley nearly had a hat trick, but one of Caleb Poczatek’s numerous diving saves on the night prevented it from happening.

The Saints last-ditch efforts in the closing minutes came up short, handing them their sixth straight loss as they dropped to 2-9 on the year. They’ll hope to break the losing streak on Thursday when they host Covington Holy Cross.

“We got desperate playing from behind. That’s just part of growing up, they’re high school kids and not pros. We want to get the goal back quick instead of just playing soccer. They fought hard, didn’t give up and played their hearts out for me. The rest of it is on me,” Black said.

Tuesday started a four-game homestand for Fleming County as they’ll host Scott on Thursday.

APPLEGATE NETS FIVE, LEWIS FOUR IN LADY PANTHERS ROUT

FLEMINGSBURG — Haylee Applegate upped her goal total to 27 on the season while MaKayla Lewis has 15 herself as Fleming County topped St. Patrick 11-1, in the second game of the boy-girl doubleheader Tuesday.

Applegate scored five goals in the contest, Lewis four as the Lady Panthers mercy-ruled the Lady Saints in 40 minutes of play.

“Biggest emphasis was playing team-friendly ball. We want to make sure we not only get our goals, but to help find facilitate the balls and get our goals when we can. Haylee and MaKayla are very hard to play against when they play as a unit then just individually. They both understand the game very well and feed off each other,” Hicks said.

Dealt with injuries and down to nine players by the time the match ended, St. Patrick was just no match for Fleming on the night.

Fleming County put 39 shots to St. Patrick’s two.

Maleah Hendrix and Neveah Thoroughman added the other two goals for the Lady Panthers, who improved to 7-3-2 with the victory and currently have a four-game winning streak going. They’ll look to make it five straight when they host Mason County on Wednesday at Ewing Elementary School.

Allison Hughes had the lone goal for the Lady Saints as they dropped to 2-6 on the season. St. Patrick will play at Mason County on Saturday. The Lady Saints defeated the Lady Royals in the first contest of the season, 6-3 back on August 13.

“Fleming County is a good team and shows us the benchmark we need to hit as a team and hopefully this will motivate us to bounce back and get ready for districts. I’m proud of these girls. They fought for 40 minutes and that’s all I can ask them to do,” Black said.

PANTHERS 3, SAINTS 2

SAINT PATRICK—1-1—2

FLEMING COUNTY—2-1—3

Goals: SP — Lopez PK (7’), Koch (42’), FC — Thompson (4’), Pinkley 2 (21’, 61’)

Shots (On Goal): SP 19 (9), FC 25 (12)

Saves: SP 9 (Poczatek), FC 8 (Jamison)

Corner Kicks: SP 7, FC 4

Records: St. Patrick 2-9, Fleming County 7-3

LADY PANTHERS 11, LADY SAINTS 1

SAINT PATRICK—1-x—1

FLEMING COUNTY—11-x—11

Goals: SP — Hughes (28’), FC — Applegate 5 (8’, 19’, 22’, 29’, 30’), Lewis 4 (10’, 11’, 14’, 31’), Hendrix (15’), Thoroughman (26’)

Shots (On Goal): SP 2 (1), FC 39 (28)

Saves: SP 17 (Riggs), FC 0

Corner Kicks: SP 2, FC 3

Records: St. Patrick 2-6, Fleming County 7-3-2

Fleming County’s Haylee Applegate puts a shot on net against St. Patrick, Tuesday, in Flemingsburg. (Evan Dennison, The Ledger Independent)
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_Soccer2.jpgFleming County’s Haylee Applegate puts a shot on net against St. Patrick, Tuesday, in Flemingsburg. (Evan Dennison, The Ledger Independent)

St. Patrick’s Willie Franco and Fleming County’s Elian Gonzales battle for a ball at midfield during their match, Tuesday, in Flemingsburg. (Evan Dennison, The Ledger Independent)
https://maysville-online.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_Soccer1.jpgSt. Patrick’s Willie Franco and Fleming County’s Elian Gonzales battle for a ball at midfield during their match, Tuesday, in Flemingsburg. (Evan Dennison, The Ledger Independent)

Evan Dennison

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