The Saxony Lutheran girls soccer team will be looking to make history this weekend. The Crusaders will be playing in the Class 1 final four this Friday against Summit Christian at 10 a.m. in Fenton.
The Crusaders finished third in state last season, and returned eight seniors and a key score that helped the program reach new heights last spring. However, coach Chris Crawford said his team was not guaranteed to return to state based on past performances.
“We didn’t expect to get back,” Crawford said. “In part because getting to state is not an easy thing to do. But we did set it as a goal for the year. This is a great opportunity and an awesome feeling. The atmosphere has been really great and we wanted to do it. We knew it was going to be difficult.”
Summit Christian (13-6-1) looks to make Saxony’s attempt to reach the Class 1 title game difficult. The Eagles have won eight of their last nine games and dominated much of the district tournament by a combined score of 19-0.
“They are what you would expect a final four team to look like,” Crawford said. “We are preparing the girls the best we can. We know it’s going to be a battle. When you get to this stage that’s what it should be.”
Class 1 was divided into four “super districts,” according to Crawford with 10 teams, instead of the usual six teams. Saxony defeated Maplewood-Richmond Heights on May 16. The Crusaders will have a 15-day layoff. Crawford said the practices have been physical in the lead-up to the semifinal.
“We have been challenging them,” Crawford said. “We are trying to keep our game fitness up. It’s been one of those things where we constantly remind them that it is worth it and if we work really hard we might be able to pull it off.”
Crawford felt like his team wasn’t playing their brand of soccer about mid-way through the season, but feels like his team is hitting their stride now in the district tournament.
“We had to survive (5-3 victory over Gateway Science Charter, but the other two games I thought we played much better,” Crawford said. “I have a high expectation of this group and I think there is more left in there somewhere. I think we are going to peak at the right time.”
Crawford said his team has to do a few things to be successful at the state tournament.
“We have to be disciplined this week in practice and be willing to out-work everyone up there,” Crawford said. “I think we have the tools to pull this thing off.”
