Knights best Mascoutah, fall to Althoff on the pitch
By Ray Popkess
Triad soccer has been on a roll lately and they continued to roll through their conference schedule with a win against Mascoutah last Thursday night. However, a rematch of last year’s 2A Sectional Final against Althoff ended the Knights’ undefeated season on Saturday.
Damian Jordan recorded his third clean sheet of the season against Mascoutah, despite a fast start from Mascoutah and their aggressive strategy.
Keeper Damian Jordan boots a ball to midfield.
Mascoutah recorded three shots on goal before Triad could record one, but it was only a matter of time before the Knights press got them onto the scoreboard.
In the 25th minute, junior defender Bryce Merkel lobbed a cross into the six-yard box that was initially stopped by the Mascoutah keeper but ultimately buried by senior midfielder Eli Noonan. After the first 40 minutes were up, Triad still held the lead 1-0.
The dagger came early in the second half, when senior forward Brayden Kelly carried the ball across midfield, danced with his defender on the edge of the 18-yard box and slotted the ball past the keeper to put the Knights up 2-0.
Triad held off every attempt from Mascoutah for the remaining 30-plus minutes and cruised to victory.
Junior forward Colby Wheat chases down a loose ball in the corner.
The defending 2A State Champion Althoff Crusaders had something up their sleeve for the Knights during their weekend matchday, as Triad suffered their first loss of the season to the tune of 3-0, the only time the Knights failed to score so far this year. Their record sits at 5-1-1 at time of publication.
The Knights are back in action this week, with games against Waterloo and Civic Memorial to carry on through conference play.
