The start was better for Mexico boys soccer this year, but it ran into the same wall last week.

Mexico vs Moberly Photo Gallery

After not being shut out all season, the Bulldogs were held scoreless twice with an 8-0 loss at Kirksville on Sept. 17 and an 8-0 loss to Moberly at home on Thursday. Mexico lost via mercy rule both times to already drop its North Central Missouri Conference record to 1-3.

Head coach Bill Gleeson said the NCMC is strong like always this year, with Mexico’s losing streak to Kirksville extended to five games and its losing streak to Moberly extended to three. He pointed out the Bulldogs have already lost a 7-1 game at Marshall and expected another tough challenge on Tuesday at Hannibal.

“We’re tired,” Gleeson said. “We have several that are sick and not even 100 percent. It’s a grueling schedule that we have, and it grates on you. It’s a tough conference. It’s always hit-and-miss on how you’re going to do.”

Gleeson mentioned how Mexico had two games in three days last week and three games in five days in the previous week so he hoped the team would be 100 percent healthy again starting at Hannibal. When a lot of games are against tough conference teams, he said it adds to the load.

Moberly, in particular, has improved over the last three years with younger players leading a competitive squad this season, Gleeson said. The mercy rule didn’t trigger until the 77th minute in a game Mexico trailed 4-0 at halftime and were outshot 34-8.

“We knew Moberly was going to come out and pressure us,” Gleeson said. “Our first touches weren’t great tonight, and that’s a lot of what happened. We allowed them to get back that ball, and we couldn’t keep possession of it. Our game plan was to come in and try to possess it more, but our first touches were not so good tonight.”

Touching or remaining in contact proved difficult for Mexico largely due to the typical contact-heavy Moberly defense. Gleeson said that is also something that can be expected when playing Moberly.

“They play a very aggressive style,” Gleeson said. “They are always touching and grabbing. When you’re anticipating them coming in and just mauling you, you’re a little attentive to try and get a good stop to the ball. It has a lot to do with it.”

Six different Spartans scored, and they kept goalkeeper Grant Walker busy as he finished with 13 saves for Mexico. His older brother, Gage Walker, had a penalty kick that bounced off the crossbar in the second half to almost break the shutout. 

After playing at Hannibal (8-2, 2-0 NCMC) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Mexico has six days until it hosts Fatima (4-2) at 5 p.m. Sept. 30.