STEUBENVILLE — The Big Red boys’ soccer team recorded a big win on a special night.

Big Red scored 22 seconds into the match, and they never looked back en route to an 11-0 victory via mercy rule against rival Weir on Senior Night Tuesday night on Reno Saccoccia Field inside Harding Stadium.

“We were able to put the ball into the net,” Big Red (8-2-3) head coach Greg Bowers said. “We did not possess the ball as well as we would have liked fort he first 20 minutes of the first half, but the last 15 minutes was the best soccer we have played and it resulted in a bunch of goals.”

The boys from Jefferson County netted seven goals in the first half before tallying for more in the second half.

“They are a great team,” first-year Weir (6-10) head coach Adam Welsh said. “They play at a level we hope to be at some day, but we are not there yet. They played very well.

“We have got another game Thursday. We are going to have to regroup and hopefully play better.

“I wish them a lot of luck going forward. They have great players. It was fun being able to compete against them. I wish them a lot of luck.”

Offensively for Big Red, Luke DiNovo delivered a hat trick and two assists, Cole Bowers collected a hat trick and Hayden Hicks contributed two goals and an assist. Also, Ethan Llewellyn and Landon Bowers each tallied a goal and an assist, Drew Stimpert produced a goal and Brady DiNovo added two assists. Finally, Tad Loot contributed an assist.

The victors used two goalies in the match. Robby Lucas started, and he was replaced during the second half by Luca Holt. Lucas made one save, while Holt did not have to make one.

Ben Howard made five saves for the boys in the white jerseys.

“They have a young squad,” Coach Bowers said. “Their coach is going to do a good job. This is a rebuilding year. You can see the talent. They are going to be fine in a couple of years.

The hosts outshot their counterparts from Hancock County, 18-2. The hosts took 16 shots on goal, while the visitors took one. Big Red’s offensive pressure resulted in Weir having to take 15 goal kicks, while the home team took seven. Big Red had a 10-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Prior to the start of the match, Big Red honored their eight seniors – Jacob Burchfield, James Devereaux, Brady DiNovo, Luke DiNovo, Isaac Rossel, Hicks, Llewellyn and Lucas.

“Our goals were we wanted to come out and compete and play hard for the seniors,” Coach Bowers said. “We have a great group of eight seniors. They have played travel soccer together. They played for me back in the day. They are a special group. We are glad we were able to send them out like that with a win.”

Big Red is scheduled to play University at 5 p.m. Thursday at home for third/fourth place in the OVAC Class 5A Tournament. Big Red is the No. 3 seed, while the Hawks are the No. 4 seed.

Meanwhile, Weir is slated to play St. Clairsville at 6 p.m. against St. Clairsville on the road down at Red Devil Stadium.