HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: NO MIRACLES NEEDED; NOTRE DAME BREEZES TO DISTRICT CROWN

Notre Dame High School's boys soccer team needed a virtual miracle to advance to the championship match of the Class 1A-3A, District 1 Tournament.

But the Bulldogs needed no luck of any kind in capturing their third consecutive district title.

The top-seeded and host Bulldogs, who scored a goal with just two seconds left in regulation to tie Sikeston and then went on to win Saturday's semifinal contest in a shootout, rolled past third-seeded Windsor 3-0 Monday night in the finals.

Notre Dame will take an 18-7-1 record into Saturday's sectional playoff game against defending state champion St. Mary's. The 6 p.m. contest will be held at the Anheuser-Busch Conference & Sports Centre in Fenton, Mo.

"I thought we controlled the ball well and passed the ball well. I was pretty pleased with that," said Notre Dame coach Brad Wittenborn, who added with a grin, "It was nice not to have to score with two seconds left."

To be sure, Monday's championship game seemed almost anticlimactic after the stunner Notre Dame pulled off against fourth-seeded Sikeston. Seemingly beaten, the Bulldogs scored the equalizer to force overtime when Scott Wittenborn kicked a ball about 40 yards toward the goal and Shane Kistner headed it into the net.

"You have to give Sikeston credit. We were lucky to tie it up," said Brad Wittenborn. "It looked like our season was over. It's almost like somebody is watching over us."

Windsor (15-8-3) battled hard but was simply no match for Notre Dame. The Bulldogs very easily could have scored six or seven goals, but Owls' keeper Dan Zensen made several nice saves. Conversely, Notre Dame keeper Paul Unterreiner hardly had to work up a sweat in recording the shutout.

The Bulldogs scored the night's first goal barely seven minutes into the match when Tim Buerck deposited a header after a scramble in front. Andy Arnzen received credit for an assist.

"It was nice to get one early," Wittenborn said.

With just under 10 minutes left before halftime, the Bulldogs made it 2-0 as Windsor was whistled for a foul near its goal. Awarded a penalty kick, Scott Wittenborn scored his 24th goal of the season to set a new school record.

Notre Dame finished off the scoring about 15 minutes into the second half as Tyler Cuba headed in a goal after taking a nice crossing pass from Nathan LeGrand.

For the Bulldogs, their third consecutive district crown was especially sweet because a lot of people thought Notre Dame might be a bit down this year after graduating nine senior starters from last season. The 2000 Bulldogs have only one senior.

"We not only lost nine starters, but all nine were quality players," said coach Wittenborn. "I don't know if people were expecting a district championship, but I knew our young players were talented."

Said Nick Kapfer, Notre Dame's lone senior, "I think we've surprised a lot of people this year. After losing all those players (from last season), this is sweet."

Added Scott Wittenborn, a junior and son of the coach, "People maybe didn't think we'd be very good. This feels nice. And we've got a young team, which is really good for the future."

Now the Bulldogs will get another crack at perennial state powerhouse St. Mary's, which has beaten Notre Dame the last two years in sectional play, including 1-0 last season.

"After what happened against Sikeston, maybe we're destined this time," said Brad Wittenborn.