The Mexico boys really had to work for that first conference victory.

The Bulldogs defeated North Central Missouri Conference foe Moberly 1-0 on Monday at home, giving them a 1-2 conference record and 2-3 overall record.

Brendan McKeown scored the only goal of the game in the 11th minute off an assist from Kevin Lopez, who was back after being ineligible the previous game at Battle.

Head coach William Gleeson said Mexico’s defense gave Moberly fits all night, highlighted by goalkeeper Emille Scanavino’s 11 saves.

“Our defense shined by pulling them offsides multiple times,” Gleeson said.

Mexico shots sparse in 2-0 loss at Kirksville

The last 10 minutes decided the game for the Bulldogs.

Mexico lost 2-0 Tuesday at North Central Missouri Conference foe Kirksville after allowing both goals in the final 10 minutes.

Kirksville (2-4, 2-2 NCMC) scored off a free kick with 10 minutes left in the game and then added another at the end. Mexico, on the other hand, wasn't generating much offense, head coach William Gleeson said.

"We had trouble on offense," Gleeson said. "We could not seem to find a way to get a shot off. We only had five shot attempts the whole game."

Mexico  (2-4, 1-3 NCMC) travels to another conference opponent in Hannibal (5-3, 2-0 NCMC) on Tuesday.

Softball

Big Fulton inning leads to early 10-0 loss for Mexico

Mexico tried its best to hang with the third-best team in the state.

The Lady Bulldogs faced North Central Missouri Conference rival and Class 3 No. 3 Fulton this year for the first time, trailing 1-0 after three innings but eventually losing 10-0 in five thanks to a seven-run fourth inning.

Mexico finished with four hits — Maddy Feger responsible for half of them, hitting a double in one at-bat — and Fulton had eight of its 13 hits in the big inning. Prior to that, Feger, Abby Bellamy and Kierstan Epperson strung together singles to set up a bases-loaded, nobody-out situation in the top of the fourth. Natalie Underwood struck out the next two and induced a flyout to escape without any damage.

Besides striking out 11 in the circle, Underwood hit a two-RBI home run to end the game in the fifth inning, making her second Lady Hornet to hit a home run in the game after Maddie Bright. 

Mexico (8-9, 2-2 NCMC) plays at North Central Missouri Conference rival and Class 3 No. 3 Fulton (17-4, 5-0 NCMC) on Thursday.)

Girls golf

Mexico’s Rowe, Centralia’s Pace finish in top at Westran Invitational

Mexico and Centralia had their best golfers show up Tuesday during the Westran Invitational.

Mexico’s Kennedi Rowe was one stroke short of the winner, Jefferson City’s Mia McGraw, as she finished with an 84 to be the runner-up. Centralia’s Bailey Pace shot a 93 to finish fourth individually and help the Lady Panthers take fourth as a team with a 438. 

Paris had a team score of 496 that was led by Allysa Webb’s 108 and followed by Halle Rossen’s 125.

Mexico didn’t have enough golfers to set a team score but had Ella Connell shoot a 134 and Reagan Craig finish with a 137.

Centralia’s next best individual score belonged to Tess Stephens as she shot a 107. Olivia Morris and Cami Moser each followed with a 119.

Hallsville won the team competition with a 417.

Volleyball

Lady Bulldogs receive first September sweep by Hannibal

Mexico hadn’t been swept in a match since August.

That changed Thursday at home against the reigning North Central Missouri Conference champion Hannibal (5-1, 2-0 NCMC) as the Lady Bulldogs lost 25-18, 25-22 and 25-20.

Jessica Stephens led with a double-double at 11 kills and 15 digs. She led the team in kills, but Tessa Haefling had a team-high 22 digs. Ally Wilson led the team with 16 assists and three service aces.

Mexico (2-4, 2-2 NCMC) participates in the New Haven Round Robin today.