Cape Central soccer outlasts Saxony Lutheran

The Cape Central girls soccer team defeated the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders 1-0 on Friday at Cape Central High School.

The Tigers struck early with what would be the game-winner goal from senior Madison Phelps in the first minute to give Central the 1-0 lead. Tigers head coach Duncan McKinley it was fitting a senior scored on senior night to soothe any nervousness his team may have had before the game.

“I mean we weren't expecting a goal that early at all, we always love to have fast goals but to get one that early was pretty good,” McKinley said. “It definitely eased some of the pressure and nerves that I think some of the girls were having with it being senior night, but you can't ask for a better start than that.”

The trouble with scoring in the first minute is the Tigers needed to hold the lead for the next 79 minutes. Saxony Lutheran had seemingly tied the score at 1-1 but an offsides call erased the point for the Crusader and the next two chances were saved by Central goalkeeper, Piper Underwood.

The Tigers struggled offensively after the opening goal with just three shots in total, two of which were saved by Saxony keeper Grace Ozark. Defensively, McKinley said they tried to play cleanly and not let the speed of the Crusaders beat them.

“We just tried to clean things up in the back and make sure that we weren't allowing the ball to bounce on those goal kicks they tried to play over the top,” McKinley said. “We knew they have some quick girls, so as long as we win those first balls we thought we could keep the ball out of the back of the net.”

Central will close out their regular season on Tuesday at home against Notre Dame starting at 6:30 p.m. while the Crusaders finish their season at Perryville on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

McKinley said this win against a good Saxony team will improve his team as they approach the district tournament.

“I think with Notre Dame coming up next week, this is the win we needed. Especially, with districts coming up next Saturday these big wins at home give us some momentum and confidence going forward,” McKinley said.