Bulldogs Claim Own Tourney, Mattoon Captures Red & Gold Meet

St. Anthony won its own soccer tournament. Members of the team are, front row, left to right, Chris Heuerman, Andy Saba, Jacob Zimmerman, Lexi Mendella, Ashley Dietzen, Donovan Hammer, Moises Lemus and Alex Bloemer. Middle row, left to right, Ryan Kruger, James Kabbes, Kyle Hartke, Chandler Martelli, Ian Harris and Alex Deters. Back row, left to right, Assistant Coach Kevin Kruger, Alex Beesley, Wyatt Lawrence, John Blanchette, Nick grunloh, Mason Thomas, Jack Nuxoll and Coach Eric Morales.

Effingham St. Anthony captured the championship of its own soccer tournament Saturday. The Bulldogs finished with nine tournament points followed by Alton Marquette 7, Salem 4, Mount Carmel 4, Harrisburg 4, Altamont 3, Greenville 3 and Carlyle 0.

In Thursday play, Altamont edged Carlyle 1-0 while Salem and Mount Carmel played to a 0-0 tie.

In Friday action, St. Anthony blanked Greenville 2-0 while Harrisburg and Alton Marquette played to a 3-3 tie. There were eight matches Saturday. St. Anthony beat Salem 2-0, Mount Carmel edged Altamont 2-1, Greenville downed Harrisburg 4-1, Salem won over Carlyle 2-1, Harrisburg beat Altamont 4-1, Alton MArquette blanked Greenville 3-0, St. Anthony won over Mount Carmel 2-0 and Alton Marquette trounced Carlyle 7-0.

"This year's tournament had a slight change to it, adding two more teams, newcomers, Harrisburg and Alton Marquette," said St. Anthony Coach Eric Morales. "The tournament ran this year from Thursday to Saturday, and we couldn't have asked for better weather. The sun was shining just right, the temperatures were perfect and the breeze was there when we needed it. All the teams came and performed very well and showed a great tournement setting/atmosphere for all that came to watch."

St. Anthony was the defending champion from last year. The Bulldogs had a slow start for the first 10 minutes of the game Friday night but put it all together and controlled the rest of the game. Getting two goals from junior Ryan Kruger, blanking Greenville 2-0.

"Early Saturday morning we came back to play the 8:30 a.m. game against Salem. Of course, like any team that early, both teams had a very slow start to the game. Salem played a very good defensive game and had two good looks on the goal that made us nervous. Late in the second half, Salem fouled us on two different occasions in the box, giving us two penalty kicks. Junior Ryan Kruger connected, putting us up 2-0 and blanking Salem to move on. The final game of the afternoon against Mount Carmel was all us. We controlled 80 percent of the game, testing the goalie all game.

"We ended up with 20 shots on goal. Three minutes into the game, James Kabbes threw the ball in, finding the leg of Donovan Hammer to connect, 1-0. We continued to pepper the goal for the rest of the half, but not being able to connect on any more goals. In the second half, three minutes in, Donovan Hammer took a corner kick and found James Kabbes on the opposite side of the goal for a goal making it 2-0. Finally, with minutes left in the game, Chandler Martelli had a break away down the side, making a beautiful pass through the middle and finding Ryan Kruger making a run. As Ryan and Mount Carmel's keeper raced to the ball, Ryan was able to chip the ball over the keeper as he and the keeper collided and went down, ending the game at 3-0."

St. Anthony defended its title as they moved on to become the champions of the tournament.

"Special mention to St. Anthony keeper Nick Grunloh for being strong and having 20 saves in the tournament," said Coach Morales. "He was the backbone of the team. Great job to the team, they worked hard and played very, very well. Thank you to everyone that helped make the tournament a success. We couldn't have done it without everyone."

St. Anthony is back in action Tuesday hosting Effingham.

Charleston Red & Gold Tournament

Mattoon claimed the championship of the Charleston Red & Gold Tournament Saturday.

The Green Wave blanked Centralia in Thursday play 2-0 before coming back to play to a scoreless tie with Teutopolis. Then in the final match, Mattoon blanked Newton 4-0 to take home the title. This is the third crown for the Green Wave in the last four years.

In Friday play, Olney edged Effingham 2-1. Olney's Isaac Pampe scored with 15:50 left in the second half. EHS' Drake Hill scored off a free kick from Andrew Bingham with 12:30 remaining. The Tigers then claimed the victory as Treston Stanley scored with 30 seconds remaining in the game.

Effingham's Jared Minor had eight saves. Olney's Brock VanBlaricum stopped a point blank shot with his face with eight minutes left in the game.

The Hearts then fell to Monticello in Saturday action, 2-1. Monticello scored first, as Clay Burgner had a penalty kick with 7:53 left in the first half. Abe Schumacher then scored at the 8:07 mark in the second half.

Effingham's Bingham scored unassisted with 5:50 left on a left-footed bending shot from 20 yards out.

Minor had seven saves in the game. EHS finished 0-2-1 in pool play. In JV play, Effingham lost to Monticello 3-2.

T-town fell in its second match Saturday to Centralia 1-0. The Shoes JV team also lost to Mattoon 1-0 and Centralia 1-0.