EHS Claims Big Win On Senior Night

The Effingham High School soccer team improved to 12-3-3 Tuesday night after a big win against Apollo Conference rival Mount Zion at EHS on Senior Night.

Mount Zion scored on a cross just 45 seconds into the game and controlled the ball for a majority of the first half. The last 10 minutes of the first half Effingham started to show some life by testing the Braves back line.

"Despite having no shots on goal in the first half, we felt like we were gaining some momentum," said EHS Coach Aaron Witges. "At halftime I encouraged the kids to keep playing hard and as a team and we would get some chances, we just had to make them count. I told them someone is going to have to stick their nose in there and make a play. Kyle Lustig gave us a big lift with a goal on a pass from Kohdai Nishida with 19:26 remaining in the game.

"Less than two minutes later, at the 17:58 mark, Kohdai gave us the lead. Their keeper tried to clear the ball, Kohdai leaped into the air and the ball ricocheted off his face back into the goal. I didn't think one of the kids would take my comments at halftime literally. We held on despite a lot of pressure by Mount Zion the rest of the game and our defense stayed strong to give us the victory.

"This may have been our toughest test of the year playing  a great squad like Mount Zion and with the weather conditions the way they were. It was misty and cold the entire game, but our kids kept fighting and we came out on top.

"As I mentioned earlier it was Senior Night and eight seniors were honored. Rhemi Barr, Logan Talley, Alex Carie, Caleb Gadberry, Matt Herboth, Matt Steffen, Kyle Lustig and Ivan Carillo all played their last home game for EHS, and what a way for those kids to go out.

"Dalton Steele added four saves for us. We only had three shots on goal but two of them found the net. Our next game is Thursday at Altamont, 5 p.m. start for their Senior night. We also play Mount Zion two weeks from tonight in our first regional game at Mattoon."