PURPLE RAIN: Somerset blows out rival Pulaski

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior Tori Robertson takes a shot at the goal past several Pulaski defenders during the Jumpers' 8-0 victory over the Maroons on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.

Shout out to Prince for the inspiration to that title. It was a chilly evening at Clara Morrow Field on Tuesday night for the rivalry game between the Somerset Lady Jumpers and the Pulaski County Lady Maroons. With expected rain in the forecast during the game, which team would reign supreme?

Turns out, the rain wasn't the only thing falling that evening, as the Jumpers scored early and often before the Maroons' defense had a chance of settling in. Just like the Prince song, it was raining purple by the end of the night, as Somerset downed their rivals 8-0 via the mercy rule to complete a perfect 6-0 district season.

Things got off to a fast start in the second minute of the contest, as Isabella McKenzie followed up a deflected shot by Tori Robertson for a quick 1-0 lead for the Briar Jumpers. Worlds better than their start against Southwestern on Saturday, McKenzie noted after the game that the loss against the Warriors was a reality check for them.

"After that big loss, Ben came into the locker room and told us practice at 6 a.m. the next morning. We came into practice early the next morning and I think we figured a lot of stuff out, and it got us situated to come out here tonight and take this win," the senior commented.

Robertson, not to be out done by her senior teammate, answered the call a minute later, using some creative dribbling to free herself up for a shot into the left side of the goal for a 2-0 lead. Over the next several minutes, shots from McKenzie, Robertson and Gregory were missed thanks to some solid net work by Pulaski goalkeeper Jessica Phillippi. That wasn't the case, however, in the 12th minute, as Robertson dribbled the length of the field for her second goal of the evening to put her team up 3-0.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior Bella Gregory (9) chases after the ball alongside Pulaski County freshman Madelyn Cheng (left) during the Jumpers' victory over the Maroons on Tuesday at Clara Morrow Field.

Robertson had her hat trick in the 22nd minute of the contest, as she scored from the top of the box to put the Jumpers up 4-0 and halfway to the mercy rule victory. Somerset had the perfect opportunity to add to that lead in the 29th minute, as a perfect through pass from McKenzie went to Robertson for a shot that just missed wide. After more close calls from Robertson plus a close chance by Maliyah Childrey, Robertson had goal number four of the evening, getting a kick past Phillippi and Alyssa Salyer into the right side of the goal for a now 5-0 Somerset lead. She added one more in the final minute of the half for number five, getting a shot from the left side of the box into the right side of the goal to put the home team up 6-0 in what was now a rout at the half.

Robertson didn't waste any time making it a double hat trick for the evening, as she scored after a series of dribble moves gave her a wide open shot in the 44th minute, putting Somerset on top 7-0. Pulaski couldn't get a single shot attempt in a poor first half offensively, but Addisyn Dopp finally got some looks at the goal in the 53rd, 54th and 57th minutes. Robertson and McKenzie kept trying to score the first goal, but once again Phillippi was preventing scores right and left, with Simi McAlpin anchoring the defense to multiple deflections and steals.

Storey Justice had a near look at a goal in the 69th minute, but it was wide of the net. A shot from Pulaski's Vera Monroe in the 70th minute was scooped up by Somerset goalkeeper Aijah Carrender. Just a few seconds later, the game came to an end via the seventh (!!) goal of the evening by Robertson, as she sprinted down the field for a shot that sailed into the top left of the net for an 8-0 Somerset victory via the mercy rule. Head coach Ben Robertson was ecstatic of the effort of his group coming off a tough loss.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County junior Sofia Landon (10) looks to go on the attack past the defense of Somerset freshman Maliyah Childrey (18) during the game between the Lady Maroons and the Lady Jumpers on Tuesday night.

"You want to end on a high note like that if this is the last time this group of seniors plays Pulaski at home. Some games you want to hold back, this was not one of those games. The senior captains on this team have been fantastic all year long. Tonight was proof that we learned from Saturday and we've recovered," he explained.

One of those senior captains, Ella Latavong, put her thoughts into Layman's terms following the game as well.

"Go Briar Bunnies," she exclaimed.

Somerset improves their record to 10-5-1 and will take on North Laurel on the road on Thursday.

Pulaski falls to 7-4-4 for the season and will next travel to Mercer County on Thursday.

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