Bulldogs make final push today against Duchesne

~ Defending state champion Notre Dame will play in the Class 2 semifinals.

A quick glance at Duchesne's 16-9-2 record could lead one to believe the Pioneers will be an easy out in the Class 2 state soccer semifinals.

That would be a mistake, Notre Dame senior Matt Kiblinger said.

"We know that their record isn't amazing, but you have to look at who they play," he said. "They have the tough competition, and I know they're going to be ready for us. We just have to take it to them."

The Bulldogs (20-4-1) and Pioneers will play at 5 p.m. in today's first state semifinal at the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton, Mo. Cassville plays Smithville in the other semifinal. The winners advance to Saturday's state title game at noon, while the third-place game is at 11 a.m.

Duchesne coach Dave Thurmer said his team faced some of the best competition in the state during the season in preparation for a deep playoff run.

"I think that's one of the reasons why every couple years we have a big run," Thurmer said. "This is our third trip to the final four since 2000. I'm thoroughly convinced it's because of who we play, day in and day out. Once we get to late October and into the playoffs, we've seen everybody there is to play."

The Pioneers shut out Priory (2-0) and St. Dominic (1-0) in their last two games. Senior Johnny O'Mara leads the Pioneers with 19 goals, and no other player has more than five, according to stltoday.com.

"We've got four or five guys that can really move," said Thurmer, a 1976 graduate of Southeast Missouri State. "The skill level is pretty good."

The Bulldogs played a tough schedule as well in preparation for the playoffs. Plus, the opposition had the added incentive of trying to knock off the defending state champions,

"I feel like every team we've played, we've gotten their best shot against us," Notre Dame senior Mark Himmelberg said. "That's been a real challenge in making sure we come out mentally focused knowing the other team is really going to bust their butts to play their hardest against us and do everything they can to beat us."

Notre Dame has put together an impressive defensive streak in the playoffs. The Bulldogs haven't allowed a goal in their four games, winning all four by the score 2-0.

"If they don't score, we don't lose," Himmelberg said. "It starts with limiting their dangerous opportunities and make sure they get off as few shots as possible."

The scoreless streak doesn't concern Thurmer.

"We're not worried that they haven't given up a goal yet," he said. "We came out of the toughest district in the state. ... We think we can attack a little bit."

The Bulldogs say they're ready for anything Duchesne throws at them this weekend. They're ready to defend their state crown.

"Going up there, we have to be ready for the game," said Ty Williams, Notre Dame's leading goal scorer. "We have to get our rest. We've all done the work all season long. It's time to put it all out on the field now."