Bulldogs Down Centennial, Altamont Wins Over EHS in Soccer

St. Anthony hosted Champaign Centennial in soccer competition Tuesday evening. Last season the Bulldogs traveled to Champaign only to return with a 4-0 loss.

"Expecting a good team, we trained all week for this specific game," said St. Anthony Coach Eric Morales. "The first 15 minutes we played very, very well, then we turned it off and became very cold for pretty much the rest of the half. Giving the Chargers possession the first half made us run a lot, having two good solid looks on goal.

"During the half the boys corrected themselves telling each other what needed fixed, and that they did. We turned it around right away only three minutes into the second half. Moises Lemus found Ryan Kruger along the outside making a break away toward the goal. Ryan dribbled up the field on a lone breakaway and beat the goalie on the opposite side and we went up 1-0.

"We continued to control the pace of the game, trying to set ourselves up for another goal. With 15 left to pla, Ryan dribbled the ball down the right outside wing and crossed right in front of the goal, only to find Moises who found the back of the net and we were up 2-0.

As the game came to an end, with two minutes left in the game, we were called for a foul in the box, giving the Chargers a penalty kick, which found the back of the next, ending the game 2-1.

"We played very well tonight, better than I could have imagined. We played very well together and executed perfectly. Champaign is a big school and always packs a huge punch when it comes to experience and talent. We were ready for them tonight and came to play. Alex Beesley had eight saves and special mention to Jon Blanchette for his great defense and Mason Thomas for his hard work in the midfield. "

The Bulldogs are now 1-0 on the season and play Friday at 4 p.m. against Greenville for their first game of the St. Anthony Soccer Invitational.

At Altamont

The host squad sent Effingham home with a 7-1 loss in the varsity match.

Jesus Flores scored three goals for the Indians. He opened with a goal at the fourth minute before Jacob Crow tallied a goal at the 17th minute. Flores then connected on back-to-back goals at the 39th and 52nd minutes. Joe Stone then tallied at the 58th minute followed by a goal by Fernando Romo in the 67th minute assisted by Flores. Crow finished out with a goal at the 71st minute.

Effingham's Danny Hortenstine scored the lone goal on a penalty kick in the 20th minute. Will Starwalt had five saves.

"Altamont beat us a lot on over the top balls and threw balls through the middle," said EHS Coach Lee Althoff. "They have two very talnted forwards that timed their runs perfectly to create scoring opportunities."

In a junior varsity match, Altamont claimed a 10-1 victory.