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Soccer hopeful for strong finish at CBC tourney

The Webster Groves High School soccer team came to St. Louis U. High’s campus last Thursday looking for a win and they got it as the Jr. Bills looked lackluster from the beginning, losing 2-1. SLUH’s shortcomings continued in their first game of the annual CBC Tournament, as they gave up goals off of unforced errors and struggled to keep up with the opposing offense against De Smet Jesuit. However, SLUH bounced back in their second game of the tournament, learning from their previous mistakes and besting St. John Vianney 3-2.

Kevin Cooney dribbles past Webster. Photo: Kathy Chott.

 After finding success in the first four games, the Jr. Bills were optimistic about their chances against a Webster team that has consistently proved a decent matchup over the years. However, the Webster Groves Statesmen came out looking different on Thursday. Most of the first half was a tightly contested battle before Webster broke through with a little more than a minute left. The goal was an impressive shot to the left corner from outside the box that was nearly unstoppable. SLUH had a couple of good chances toward the end but the Webster defense put on an impressive performance. The Statesmen added on another goal before the end of the game to seal the deal and leave SLUH with no hope. Adding injury to insult, SLUH starting center back junior Will Wolfe was hurt during the game.

“We have the talent to turn it around,” said junior captain Christian Thro. “We’re just on cruise control right now and we need to get out.”

After a tough first loss of the season to Webster, the Jr. Bills headed to CBC to take on De Smet Spartans for their first game in the 45th annual CBC Tournament, a stage that they dominated last year. The match was highly anticipated as the Spartans were undefeated 4-0 heading into the match and the Jr. Bills were 4-1. 

In the early stages of the game the Jr. Bills had to familiarize themselves with their new look defense for the foreseeable future. With Wolfe injured, senior Jack Griffiths-Hill moved to center back and senior captain Tommy Reh moved to right back. 

Five minutes in, De Smet capitalized on a counterattack breakaway down the left wing. It was a tough blow for the Jr. Bills but they knew this would not be an easy challenge. 

As the Jr. Bills got settled into the match, they started to control possession and momentum. With about 15 minutes left in the half, senior captain Lucas Hammond whipped a corner into the box and junior captain Grant Locker met it with a beautiful header to tie the game 1-1. The Bills entered half time with momentum. 

The second half carried the flow of the first. The Jr. Bills out-possessed the Spartans but were unable to put themselves ahead as they struggled to connect passes. As time dwindled down, De Smet had a rare chance again off of a counter. Sophomore goalie Henry Neff made the initial save but De Smet followed up the rebound on the back post and put it away to make it 2-1 with 11 minutes to go. 

Shortly after De Smet took the lead, freshman Henry Sanders was taken down in the box but no call was given for the penalty. This was controversial, though it is important to note earlier in the game De Smet had a goal called back on an offside call following a free kick. With about 6 minutes left, the referee went to talk to a De Smet player who had committed a multitude of fouls over the course of the game. The De Smet player said something that did not go over well with the referee and he was given his second yellow of the game and was subsequently sent off the pitch. 

With a number advantage the Jr. Bills really turned things up. With just a few minutes remaining, senior Joseph Oloscoaga hit a powerful bending shot from 30 yards out that kept dipping until it clattered off the crossbar. De Smet, now shaking in fear, took every chance they could get to kill the remaining time. In the end the Jr. Bills fought hard but came up just short. They knew De Smet was a tough opponent and there were definitely a lot of positives about the match but one major negative: the scoreline. 

After back to back losses, the Jr. Bills were looking to turn things around last night against Vianney; the Griffins faced a hungry SLUH squad looking to break out of the slump. 

Without senior striker and captain Kevin Cooney there were doubts about the team's attacking ability heading into the game. Thro eliminated these concerns, driving up the field, taking on the Vianney defense, and connecting for a give and go with senior Davis Ragan. Thro picked out a corner and finished on the run. 

Vianney answered only a few minutes later with a free kick that hit the post and then off of the keeper’s back, barely creeping in. The teams went into half neck and neck. 

The second half was once again a close matchup with the Jr. Bills getting into the box several times but failing to finish. Then, on the fast break, Hammond got the ball in stride, took on two defenders in the middle of Vianney's half and glided past the center back to finish to put the Jr. Bills up 2-1. 

Unfortunately, Vianney had some fight left in them. With about 20 minutes left to play, Vianney proved their luck had not yet run out. On a cross in, they were granted several opportunities and they got one at the top of the box and squeezed it in the corner. 

With 11 minutes left, Hammond took the game into his own hands, finding his way to the top left of the box and pinging a ball into the corner of the net. SLUH spent the rest of the game focused on keeping Vianney out of the box, and succeeded brilliantly and close out the match 3-2. 

“The main thing we wanted to change was our effort, having a hunger to win games more than our opponents,” Hammond said. “Personally, I felt I hadn’t been playing at my highest level and getting enough touches on the ball. I was glad I could rack up some goals and contribute to our win tonight, but the team's performance can’t be ignored. We all put in a strong shift.”

SLUH will continue their quest in defending their championship in their final game of the tournament tomorrow in their final game at 3:00 p.m. against CBC at CBC.

 “We got off cruise control and stepped on the gas,” said Thro. “There’s still a lot more work to do but we are ready for it.”

 

 


 

 

 

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