With Avery Flener continuing his scoring barrage and Nick Bollenbecker locking the net’s gate, the Russellville boys soccer team shut out Monroe County 10-0 Saturday in the opening round of the All A regional at Todd Central.

Things got going early with Luke Skipworth scoring his first career goal on a Dustin Brown assist. The scoring kept coming from Flener (5 goals, 3 assists). Brown added a goal and two more assists, and Dalton Gilbert added three goals. Helping out were Jeremiah Smith, Milo Brooks and Talon Stratton with an assist each.

Goalkeeper Bollenbecker got a lot of help from his fellow defenders in making a “clean sheet” (shutout), since he only had to make two saves on shots on goal on the day.

In scoring the five goals, Flener, who is only a junior, tied Hall of Famer Nathan Thompson with 98 career goals.

Coach Jeramy Rust says, “Avery is a special player who works on his game relentlessly, and it shows.”

The team had to play without their head coach, since Rust is dealing with COVID issues. Assistant coaches Jonathan Evans and Bart Flener are leading the team in Rust’s absence. “I can't wait to be back with the team. Sure do miss them!” Rust says

Russellville improves to 5-2-1 on the young season and is back in action Tuesday at 7 p.m. against visiting district opponent Todd Central. Then on Saturday the two teams will meet again at 9 a.m. in the All A semifinals. The winner will then play Glasgow at 4 p.m. for the regional championship. The sectional will be played at Owensboro Catholic.

The LoJo

The previous Saturday, RHS held the 4th Annual Russellville Panther Soccer Classic. “We hosted some great coaches and teams and are very appreciative of them attending the event,” Rust says.

The Panthers started the day playing a very talented team from Greenwood High and fell 0-7.

In the afternoon the beat Lyon County 11-3. Flener totaled seven goals with two assists, Brown had a goal and two assists, Gilbert added two goals and three assists, Milo Brooks a goal, and Samuel Cruz an assist. Bollenbecker had three saves against three goals.

The LoJo

On Aug. 26, the goals came from everywhere as the Panthers beat Butler County 11-1. Gilbert scored three goals, Flener and Jeramiah Smith a goal and two assists each, Brown 2 goals and two assists, Akshar Patel 2 goals, Milo Brooks and Samuel Cruz a goal each. Bollenbecker had three saves against 1 goal allowed. Final score 11-1.