Festus

Festus Soccer Plays Strong Despite Loss to St. Clair

A physical game results in two players going down with injuries early, but back up players step up to hold the game close, in a 3-1 loss for the Festus Lady Tigers.

It was another loss for the Festus Tigers Girls Varsity Soccer team, this time to St. Clair, on Monday, April 26th. However, the Tigers played aggressively, and hung tough, despite a few crucial early injuries to key players. All things considered, this was a stand-out effort for the Tigers, who relied heavily on backup players. With the loss, the Tigers record is now 2-12.

Head Coach Caleb Zustiak was proud of his squad, and said, “Injuries took out both of my Center Backs so Karleigh Bayer and Hope Green did an excellent job stepping up in those roles. Summer Sansoucie also did great work playing in several positions to fill in for injured players and worked hard, keeping us in the game.”

Zustiak commented on his team’s effort, “This was a very physical game where many players fought hard and played a tough, strong opponent. St. Clair had the majority of possession in the first half and we made some defensive errors, but we made some adjustments for the second half, scored early, and had the better of the half.”

St. Clair put up two goals in the first half, the first at 10 minutes and the second at minute 34. The Tigers answered back in the second half with a goal right away. At the three minute mark, Emily Holt scored off an assist from Alayna Erxleben. Unfortunately, that was all the Tigers would get. St. Clair added one more goal at 38 minutes, making the final score 3-1.

Holt recognized the precision on the pass from Erxleben, and said, “Alayna placed the ball perfectly and I was able to knock it in at a good angle. This game was full of team effort all across the field. We came out a little flat the first half, but in the second we played with them and made them work more than they thought they would have to. Next season when we play them it will be an exciting game for sure.”

Mady Geiler and Zoe Erxleben split time in the net, each playing forty minutes, and each making 10 saves. Festus only managed five shots on goal. Zustiak noted, “Zoe was also a standout player, putting in shifts both in goal and on the field.”

The season is nearing a close, but Zustiak still believes in his team, and said, “We are still making some consistency errors, but are improving each game, so that bodes well for the end of the season and next.” He added, “The extra time these Freshman and Sophomore players are getting in both Junior Varsity and Varsity will serve them well as they move into starting positions as Juniors and Seniors in the future.”

The Tigers are back on the pitch on Thursday, April 28th, against Bayless. Festus Soccer Plays Strong Despite Loss to St. Clair

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