Flashes open district play with 9-0 win over Clinton Christian

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The St. Aloysius boys’ soccer team opened district play in dominant fashion, rolling to an 9-0 victory over Clinton Christian Academy to begin the January slate.

Head coach Gio Baldizon said the opening win set a positive tone for the stretch run of district competition.

“It’s a good start for district play and getting January going in the right direction,” Baldizon said.

St. Aloysius wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Cole Butler scored just 50 seconds into the match, followed quickly by a goal from Davis Burroughs within the first two minutes. Henry Bell added a free-kick goal 12 minutes into the game, and Carter Smithhart found the net a minute later to extend the early lead.

Sam Ashley continued the scoring surge with a goal at the 11:30 mark of the first half. John Davis Dickerson added another with 9:20 remaining before halftime, and Ashley closed the first-half scoring by netting his second goal with three minutes left.

Baldizon credited his team’s response after an uneven start, particularly with several young players seeing action.

“We got off our scripts; however, we corrected it even with a lot of young players playing,” Baldizon said. “Hands to them — they even had several score and contribute moving the ball forward and played defense well.”

The defense remained stout throughout the match, anchored by goalkeeper Holden, who recorded two saves, including a key stop off a corner kick.

“Once again our keeper Holden kept a clean sheet and two saves, one great one off a corner,” Baldizon said.

A running clock was enforced in the second half, where Holden Davidson scored two goals to cap the shutout victory.

St. Aloysius Boys’ Soccer Schedule (January)

Jan. 28 – Central Hinds*, Home, 5:30 p.m. (V/J)

Jan. 6 – at Central Hinds*, Away, 5:30 p.m. (V/J)

Jan. 9 – at Copiah, Away, 5:30 p.m. (V/J)

Jan. 12 – at ACC*, Away, 5:00 p.m. (V/J)

Jan. 15 – at Manchester*, Away, 5:30 p.m. (V/J)

Jan. 20 – at Clinton Christian*, Away, 5:30 p.m. (V/J)

Jan. 22 – Copiah, Home, 5:30 p.m. (V/J)

Jan. 23 – ACC*, Home, 5:00 p.m. (V/J)

Jan. 26 – Manchester*, Home, 5:30 p.m. (V/J)