Hounds split two games at Saturday Invite

FORT MADISON - Kevin Wellman learned a lot about Fort Madison’s boys soccer team this week.
The Bloodhounds played five matches in six days, and after a win and a loss on Saturday at the Baxter Sports Complex, their coach knew a lot about them.
“Toughness, and resiliency,” Wellman said after a 10-0 win over Mediapolis. “They’re equal to a tough, tough week. We just finished our fifth game in six days, and if you look at them right now, they don’t even look like they’re tired. They’re in a great mood. They’re happy with themselves, happy with each other.”
Fort Madison (5-1-1) went 4-1 on the week. The Bloodhounds’ only loss came in Saturday’s first match, a 6-0 defeat to Davenport North. Other than that, they outscored their opponents 31-2 in their wins, and they are tied with Mount Pleasant at the top of the Southeast Conference standings heading into Monday’s match against the Panthers in Mount Pleasant.
Wellman liked that his team got to see different styles of play during the week. The defeat to Davenport North (3-1-2) was especially instructive.
“You don't necessarily want a loss,” Wellman said. “Davenport North showed us we're playing well, but there's always room for improvement. We did lose the game, but we learned a lot from it, things that we need to do. Apply pressure a little quicker, and different things tactically on the field that we identified at halftime and we did a better job of in the second half.”
The Bloodhounds bounced back in their afternoon match, dominating the Bulldogs (0-4-1), a team they had scrimmaged in the preseason.

Daniel Jenkins had three goals, and Connor Horn and Jack Ragar each scored twice. Hunter Wiegand and Clay Smith had a goal, and one of the second-half goals belonged to senior Layne Rung, his first career goal.
“We brought him up to play forward late and he was able to get one,” Wellman said.
The upcoming week won’t be quite as busy as the last one — four matches in six days —  although it has its own challenges, starting with Monday’s match.
“It is a big one between two really good teams, and the winner gets a step ahead of everyone else,” Wellman said. “Mount Pleasant is a really good team that will challenge us.”
Fort Madison plays at home on Thursday against Fairfield, which is in third place, one game behind the Bloodhounds and Mount Pleasant in the conference standings. The Bloodhounds then play Pella and ADM at Pella High School on Saturday.
“It’s been good,” Wellman said. “I’m happy with what we did this week. Happy with what we did today.
“But yeah, I’m glad this week is over.”