EHS Second In Invite, St. A Competed at Carlinville Tourney

MATTOON -- Effingham finished second in the Mattoon Soccer Invitational Saturday after playing to a 0-0 tie with Mattoon.

The Green Wave won the tourney title with a goal-differential tie-breaker based on wins Friday and Saturday in the invitational. Mattoon beat Salem 4-0 Friday and won 5-1 over Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Saturday. The Hearts had beaten Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond 2-1 Friday and Salem 5-1 Saturday.

The two teams squared off but lightning halted the tournament's finale with EHS and Mattoon tied at 0-0 at halftime.

Dalton Steele had four saves for the Hearts. EHS took one shot but it was off goal.

In the win over Salem, Ford Barnfield tallied at 10:17 in the first half to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. But Effingham's Tyler Katz had a penalty kick with 1:50 to tie the score and Michael Carie scored unassisted with 1:13 and the Hearts led 2-1.

In the second half, it was all EHS as Carie scored on an assist from Sean Zerrusen with 21:20 and then tallied again, this time on an assist from Katz, with 12:04 left. Austin Wenthe then connected on an unassisted goal with 8:11 left.

Steele had two saves while EHS took 22 shots, 12 of them on goal.

The Hearts are now 9-5-3 on the season and back in action Tuesday at Mount Zion. Both teams are undefeated in the Apollo Conference with a 2-0 mark.

Effingham can gain revenge over Mattoon because the two teams could meet in the Class 2A Effingham Regional.

In a match Thursday, Effingham fell to Olney 3-0. The Hearts had 15 shots, nine on goal and Olney had five shots on goal. Steele had two saves.

Bulldogs Compete At Carlinville Tournament

The St. Anthony High School varsity soccer team traveled to Carlinville for a weekend tournament. In the opener, the  Bulldogs fell to  Greenville 4-1. St. Anthony then claimed the second game 7-2 over Illinois Math & Science Academy. St. Anthony then lost to Lincoln 2-0.

"The tournament was highlighted in game two when IMSA jumped to a 2-1 lead in the first half," said St. Anthony Coach Scott Demers. "The second half saw a much different Bulldog squad. Benton Hakman ended the tournament with four goals and has broken the school record for most goals in a season with 17 goals. He did it with a lot of help. Goals are the result of a team effort and Benton is able to finish the effort and put the ball in the net.

"Other players that played well were goal-keeper Zach Tegeler, defenders Kyle Hartke, James Kabbes and special recognition to freshmen Jon Blanchette, Ryan Kruger and Donovan Hammer."

Goals and assists were also provided by Chandler Martelli, Frank Jansnen, Jonas Amberg and Ryan Kruger.

"Although the teams are tougher than those in our area, it provides an opportunity for us to be tested and build on success going into our post season," said Demer. "My goal has been to help build the soccer in our area so that we are competitive beyond the regional level and win those games that get us into the top eight or even four teams in the state. When that happens, our local athletes will be recognized and rewarded for how great they really are. When other coaches in our area see that, it will help every team and athlete from the Effingham County area."

St. Anthony is now 10-6-3 on the season and back in action Tuesday at Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran.