Kahoks Pick Up Big Win At Edwardsville

By Mark Jurgena

A huge goal by Bryson Bode in the final minute of the 1st half gave Collinsville a 3-1 lead at the half over SWC front runner Edwardsville to propel the Kahoks to a 3-2 come from behind win on September 22nd at Edwardsville.

It was their first win there since 2008.

“I’m very proud of the way the boys handled adversity,” said coach Rob Lugge. “Giving up an early goal to a good team in a tough environment could have led to a long night, but they keep their composure and figured it out. Once we shook our nerves we played simple and together.”

The win gave CHS the top spot in the SWC at 5-1 in loop play for the season. The Tigers and O’Fallon each sat at 4-1 behind them.

Bode’s goal came with just over two seconds to play in the opening stanza and it completed a remarkable comeback during the half.

“That was huge for us going into halftime,” Lugge said. “One goal lead is tough in soccer, so getting that extra goal, just that little extra push before halftime…it really meant a lot for the game and gave us a cushion in the 2nd half.”

Edwardsville’s Evan Moore got the game off to a rousing start for the Tigers when he netted his fourth goal of the season before two minutes had even elapsed in the game.

“That first five minutes they were putting it on us pretty bad, we could barely get out of our own 18,” said Lugge.

For their part, Collinsville equalized the game just six minutes later off the boot of Jaylen Wade.

“We started to settle down a little prior to (Wade’s goal),” Lugge said. “At about the five-minute mark we started to slow down and play. It was huge for us to get it back. For us to get a quick goal and tie it up and kind of steal the momentum that was big for us.”

With 15 minutes to play in the 1st half, Landon Mahat scored to give the Kahoks a 2-1 lead.

“It was probably 20-25 yards out, he found a little bit of space and he just hit a beautiful shot up to the top right corner,” said Lugge. “It was the second time he’s done that this year. He’s got the ability to pull up from anywhere and get off a good shot.”

The turnaround was complete when Bode found the back of the net.

With seconds remaining in the half, a foul was called. As time was ticking, CHS took advantage of the opportunity. Mahat quickly played the ball to Bode who knocked it in off the post.

“Our boys just played,” said Lugge. “We always preach you don’t complain, you don’t do anything you just put the ball down and play. Luckily Landon and Bode noticed the clock, set the ball down, passed it, and then Bode hit a shot from 20-25 yards out that I think caught the goalie off guard.

“It was great field awareness, great clock awareness. It was huge for high school kids to see that and just go with it.”

Moore would add his second goal of the game early in the 2nd half, however, it wasn’t enough and the Kahoks came back home victorious.

“He’s a talented player,” commented Lugge. “He found himself in two good positions and scored two amazing goals.”

The loss dropped Edwardsville to 10-2-2 overall on the season.

Collinsville 4 Belleville West 0

CHS scored four goals in the opening half and never looked back as they recorded a 4-0 road win on September 24th over Belleville West.

“It’s a good win, especially in conference,” said Lugge. “West has had a tough year, but those kids, they work really hard. They didn’t quit the entire night. For us, it was nice to score earlier and be able to get some of our bench players in and work on little things to prepare for the upcoming weeks.

Adam Reiniger, Jimmy Crowder, Mahat, and Bode each scored goals against the Maroons.

 Assists were credited to Wade (2) and Mahat.

The win raised their SWC mark to 6-1 on the year.

 Collinsville 1 Highland 0

The Kahoks traveled east to Highland for an early afternoon matchup on September 25th and returned home with a 1-0 victory.

 “That was more of a struggle to get a goal because you’re playing on a grass football field, but the boys are really starting to buy in to just working and play as much as you can until a goal comes,” Lugge said.

Sam Garofalo scored the CHS goal with approximately 20 minutes left in the 2nd half.

CHS was 9-3-2 overall entering this week’s play.

They played at Granite City Tuesday evening. Results were unavailable at press time.

Tonight they host Waterloo at Kahok Stadium.