Notre Dame packs impressive numbers for Class 2 playoffs

~ The Bulldogs take 23-1 record into the quarterfinals.

The Notre Dame boys soccer team has racked up impressive records and statistics each of the past three seasons, only to have its season end in disappointing fashion with a district championship loss.

The Bulldogs broke through their district barrier Wednesday at Sikeston, and now they will take their first step toward a second state title with a Class 2 quarterfinal game at 6 p.m. tonight against Lutheran South at the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton, Mo.

"We just need to stay focused and play hard," senior Richard Marquart said. "We know what it's like to lose. We still have a long way to go."

This season, the Bulldogs have only experienced defeat once, amassing a 23-1 record. Notre Dame was ranked No. 3 in the final Missouri Soccer Coaches Association Class 2 poll. The top two teams in Class 2 were both eliminated in district play, leaving the Bulldogs in the position of postseason favorite.

Lutheran South, unranked throughout the season, is just 12-12-2 after capturing the District 1 title with a 1-0 win over University City.

"I see us still as the underdog, even though we're the top-ranked school left," senior defender Jordan Buchheit said. "A lotof the St. Louis schools don't give us much respect. We have a lot to prove."

It has been four years since Notre Dame last found itself in the state playoffs. In 2002, Notre Dame rode three straight shutouts to its first state title. The Bulldogs' district loss to St. Pius in 2003 ended a five-year district title run, and the drought lasted three seasons with losses to Sikeston the last two years.

The Bulldogs knocked off Sikeston last week in the District 1 final.

"We're all pretty pumped about it," senior defender Zach Capriola said. "Winning the district is probably the best thing that's happened to us in our soccer careers."

And that could be just the start for Notre Dame, which has used a stingy defense and high-scoring offense to outscore its opponents 108-8.

The Bulldogs have played in just two one-goal games. All those blowouts could make a team complacent, but the Bulldogs have been able to raise their game at each challenge.

"I wish we did play a lot more of the St. Louis schools, but you have to look at each game as a chance to get better," Buchheit said.

While the offense, led by senior Jack Wedemeier's school-record 28 goals this season, has received much of the attention, Notre Dame's defense is closing in on its own school record. Notre Dame's 17 shutouts is one off the record set last year.

The Bulldogs lost all-state defenders Andrew Buelow and Jacob Wengert and all-state goalie Nathan Kolda from last year's team, but sophomore goalie Ryan Bass has worked with this year's backs to create an imposing defense.

"We were kind of unsure [at the beginning of the season] because we lost some good leaders in the back," Capriola said. "But a lot of the underclassmen have stepped up. They know what their jobs are and they've played well."

Added Buchheit: "It's a team defense. Everyone does their part. We all know where we have to be. Bass, he's been a strong leader back there."

Lutheran South is making its first appearance in the state playoffs since 1994. Alex Cupp leads the team with eight goals and four assists. Andrew Sanford is second on the team with seven goals.