Nixa won big 10-0 over Joplin Thursday with finesse provided by the likes of Lexie Rasmussen. The Lady Eagles also won with power provided like no other by Abby Harrison.

Harrison scored twice while continuing to show flashes of her potential to be a star. The sophomore unleashed a booming kick from 30 yards out that the Joplin goalkeeper didn't dare try to stop.

There aren't many forwards or midfielders with a stronger right leg than Harrison, that's what Nixa coach Evan Palmer has been trying to convince her of. 

"We want her to go forward, get the ball at the top of the box and hammer it because she has a great leg," Palmer said. "She needs to have the mindset of going forward. A lot of it is mentality with her. It's coming on recently. I think she's used to being a little more defensive from her club team. We've got to break her of that a little bit because (her right leg) is a huge weapon, as she is stating to show."

Harrison is indeed listening while trying to change the way she plays the game.

"I'm trying to go toward the goal more — I heard that a lot (from Palmer) last season, so I'm trying to get better at it," she said. "Throughout the years, my leg has progressively gotten stronger. I'm going to use it more often. I'm trying to create more scoring opportunities not only for myself, but my teammates as well."

Harrison's Lady Eagles teammates are noticing her becoming more offensive.

"She used to be super timid and was a passer," defender Hannah Lannutti said. "Now she really goes for the ball because she's got a kick. She can hit it from far out and can be really accurate, too."

Nixa (6-4) displayed a killer instinct against Joplin. The winners' scoring also included two goals from Lizzy Shaw and one goal from Rasmussen, Erica Hartley, Karlie Hoskins, Annslee Glenn, Bailey Reynolds and Ellie Osborne.

Assists were provided by Shaw, Harrison, Lannutti, Riley Woodword, Liz Davis, Kaya Cocanougher.

It was 9-0 at halftime and Nixa ended the night with a golden gaol one minute into the second half.

Nixa (7-5) and Joplin (7-6) share near identical records, but the level of competition they have faced isn't comparable.

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