SLUH Soccer is rolling right now. After scoring 10 goals in their past two games, head coach Bob O’Connell’s varsity squad is an entertaining team to watch. Back to back wins have the Jr. Bills sitting at 3-0-1 after four games. 

Under the bright lights of the football field, accompanied by the soothing voice of announcer Patrick Zarrick, and led by the starting seniors, the Jr. Bills notched their first win against Glendale last Friday with a dominant 3-1 win in front of hundreds of fans. 

SLUH’s momentum was clear from the start of the game, mostly because of the mass of blue freshman, but also because of the speed of the Jr. Bills’ forwards. Seven minutes into the first half, senior forward Johnny Ferrara sprinted through the box on a breakaway and put a solid shot on net. The shot was saved, but it successfully established SLUH’s presence early in the game. Afterwards, Ferrara and fellow forwards Stephen Saladin and Tyler Van Bree controlled play for most of the first half. Saladin’s speed proved an especially unmatchable threat on the right side of the field, creating several tough saves for Glendale’s keeper. 

Twenty minutes into the half, though, it was senior midfielder Evan Yalavarthi who opened the scoring for SLUH off a quick shot past Glendale’s goalie. Saladin, whose sprint up the field created the scoring chance, was credited with the assist. 

“(Scoring) was an amazing experience,” said Yalavarthi. “I’ve never had a game with that many people there. After I scored and we all ran over to the stands it was a really good sense of brotherhood. I think that’s what SLUH’s about.”

For the rest of the night, the Jr. Bills’ high-powered offense led the way. With a lopsided ball possession and even an own goal scored off a Glendale defender’s chest, SLUH proved to be the better team for all 90 minutes of play. 

“I think (the win) speaks to our ability to get forward,” said O’Connell. “The group is a great team. Once we win the ball, we can quickly get the goal and I’m pleasantly surprised to see that we have four or five guys that can score goals. Every coach, every team is always worried about that, but with this group here early, it seems like that could be answered in a few different ways.”

The remaining goal on Friday night came from sophomore forward Grant Locker off a cross from a corner kick late in the second half. 

The atmosphere on Friday was much different than previous varsity soccer games, and the difference was clear for the players.

“When I was on the other side of the field and saw all the fans, it seemed like they were right there on the field with us. It almost threw me off for a second,” said senior Jared Thornberry.

Anchoring the Jr. Bills’ defense was sophomore goalie Chris Lewis. In his first start this season, Lewis played strong, shutting out the competition for most of the game and notching several saves on competitive shots. As O’Connell’s coaching staff determines the starting goalie for the remainder of the season in the upcoming games, goalie performances will be especially noteworthy. 

This past Tuesday against Gibault, though, it was senior Brendan Stein who started in goal. Stein was the last of the varsity goalies to make his start, and he entered into a game of high expectations. The team was aiming for a shutout against Gibault and Stein and the defense delivered, although once again not without significant help from the offense. SLUH’s attackers scored seven unanswered goals against the Hawks, making it an easy day for the starters. 

Quick goals from Ferrara, Yalavarthi, and Locker put the Jr. Bills up by three early in the game, which allowed the rest of the match to run smoothly. 

Of SLUH’s four other goals, two came off the foot of Saladin, who again proved his scoring prowess, one from junior Lucas Hammond and the final from Thornberry.

By the halfway point of the game, O’Connell was ready to transition out his starters, which allowed for a goal from Thornberry. 

The secret to the Jr. Bills’ offensive success lies not only in the talent of their starters, but also in smart decisions with the ball. Dominant ball possession has been the key factor in deciding the Jr. Bills’ opening games. 

“We have good, smart soccer players who understand how and when to keep the ball,” noted O’Connell. “Our attacking players and our players in the middle have played for me for several years now. We possess and when it’s on, we go. That’s going to be a theme throughout this year and that’s how we want to play.”

“This year we have less selfish players,” agreed Yalavarthi. “We have better chemistry and that allows us to move the ball better through the middle. 

Even amid the blowout, though, O’Connell is trying to keep a steady head, remembering the long term goals he had set for the season.

“I still worry a little bit about some things defensively. Also, the flipside of scoring so many goals is that sometimes guys start to do too much and dribble in places they shouldn’t dribble. I think when we move the ball crisply, when people are running towards the goal and we can connect passes going forward, though, we are still pretty dangerous.”

Following their 3-0 win against Webster Groves last night, the Jr. Bill’s current record sits at a pretty 3-0-1, and they look to build on that tomorrow against Fr. McGivney.