The Perryville Pirate soccer team won in a close one-goal game over Saxony Lutheran on October 8.
The first half ended 0-0, with both teams possessing the ball for long periods and just missing opportunities to take the lead. The Pirate and Crusader goalkeepers both made several key stops to swing momentum in their teams favor, but neither team could capitalize in the first 40 minutes.
Following the break, Saxony dominated possession and kept the ball in their end for most of the second half, but Perryville’s Olliver Tucker was able to break away and find the back of the net for the game’s only goal, securing the win for the Pirates.
“I just had my offense do their job,” Tucker said. “I came crashing, the ball was played at the top of the box and I just finished it. I have to give a lot of praise to my keeper for keeping us in the game for this long.”
That keeper was sophomore Noah Blythe, who as the last line of defense for the Pirates, was integral in holding the Crusaders, who had scored 16 goals in the previous 2 games, to no goals Thursday. It was the first time Saxony Lutheran was held scoreless all season as of October 8.
“Tough second half with the sun in our eyes, but we got it done,” Blythe said. “I praise my defense for stepping up to stop the shots and just really holding them down.”
It was the fourth clean sheet on the season for the Pirate defense.
Perryville coach Dwayne Hadler praised his defense for how they handled the Saxony Lutheran attack.
“We made some changes mid-season and that really solidified our defense,” Hadler said. “They’re finally getting to work with one another and shifting off when somebody steps to the ball, when that guy steps in and that teamwork is really good, that worked well today. Saxony is a good team. They score a lot of goals, there’s no doubt. Defensively, our midfielders did a great job of getting back into shape and keeping the ball in front of them and that makes a difference.”
Saxony Lutheran coach Chris Crawford said he doesn’t believe the loss will have much of an effect on the Crusaders, as they played well in the loss and are motivated to not let it change their season.
“I’m proud of the effort and the intensity that we showed. I thought for most of the game we were the better team statistically,” Crawford said. “We just couldn’t finish our opportunities and they got an opportunity and they buried it. So sometimes that happens and you gotta bounce back from it or you can let it affect you the rest of the year and make it bad. We have a bunch of high character guys on our team, so I think we will bounce back and work hard and let it serve as a little bit of motivation.”
Saxony Lutheran will look to get its high powered offense back on track on October 13 in their next game at Cape Girardeau Central. Kickoff time has yet to be made official.
Perryville will also be back in action on the 13th, traveling to DeSoto for a 6:30 p.m. kick.
