Ahmed scores hat trick as Jefferson City blanks Rolla 5-0

Breck McGrail of Jefferson City dribbles the ball past Joel Schott of Rolla during Wednesday night's game at the 179 Soccer Park.
Breck McGrail of Jefferson City dribbles the ball past Joel Schott of Rolla during Wednesday night's game at the 179 Soccer Park.

From start to finish, it was Jefferson City's night.

"It was the first 80-minute game we've played this season," Jays coach Scott Blake said after Wednesday night's 5-0 blanking of the Rolla Bulldogs at Eddie Horn Field. "We've struggled to put two halves together this season, but we did that tonight."

It was a big margin of victory against the Bulldogs, usually a tough foe.

"I don't remember a game against Rolla like this ever, I was not expecting this," Blake said. "They always seem to be one- or two-goal games."

Jefferson City got on the board midway through the first half. The Rolla keeper made a save, but the rebound found its way to Bassil Ahmed. The junior settled the ball and knocked it into the goal to give Jefferson City the lead.

"It was a little bit of composure for Bassil," Blake said.

Ahmed made it 2-0 about 10 minutes later on a downfield dribble drive capped by a liner for the goal.

"He's struggled to score this season, but he's kept his head on straight and committed to the team," Blake said. "Any given night, anybody can have a moment and Bassil was hot tonight."

Darby Hall increased Jefferson City's lead to 3-0 with about seven minutes remaining in the half on a long liner that found its way to the back of the net.

"When we get in front in a game, we can be a load," Blake said. "When we get ahead in the first half, we can be tough to deal with."

Ahmed got the hat track eight minutes into the second half when he knocked the ball toward the Rolla net in an attempt to find a teammate in front of the goal.

Instead, it found its way through the traffic and into the far corner of the net to make it 4-0.

"It was a wet noodle going through there," Blake said. "Those aren't goals we usually get against Rolla."

It was a big goal for Jefferson City's mindset.

"It's crazy, but if the next goal went for them, then the game turns back into a dogfight," Blake said.

Ethan Blake recorded Jefferson City's final goal with about 27 minutes remaining on a solid shot in front of the Rolla goal.

"This was a breakout match for us in regards to composure with the ball," Scott Blake said. "General possession or in a rebuild phase or around the goal, we were very composed.

"That didn't happen at the start of the season, we were a little frantic. We were getting pressure, but we weren't executing."

It was another solid night for the Jays in several players getting their opportunities to score.

"We can't be one-dimensional as players," Blake said. "Some nights, you're going to get your shots. Other nights, you have to be the type of player that feeds his teammates to get their shots."

Toby Hughes played the first 60 minutes in goal for Jefferson City before Eli Chapman came on to finish the Jays' third shutout of the season. It's the first time Rolla (3-3) has been kept off the scoreboard this season.

Jefferson City (6-2) will host School of the Osage next Tuesday.

In Wednesday's JV game, Jefferson City defeated Rolla 3-0.