Perryville routs Saxony, eyeing third-straight district title

A big second half propelled the Perryville Pirates to a 7-0 win over the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders on Tuesday at Saxony Lutheran High School.

The scoring got started just under 20 minutes into the game as Ava Ernst ripped a shot that the goalkeeper couldn’t handle to make it 1-0 Pirates.

Carlie Holdman would strike just 10 minutes later to give Perryville a 2-0 lead heading into the break at halftime.

With district play around the corner, Pirates coach Jerry Fulton was pleased with what he saw from his team in the win.

“I thought we played pretty well,” Fulton said. “I challenged them to play today like we’re going to have to start playing come Saturday and I think they took that to heart.”

The Crusaders would have multiple scoring chances in the first half but all of them would be turned away by goalkeeper Brooklyn Moll.

“(Brooklyn) usually has one or two of those saves a game,” Fulton said. “They’re always what we need to keep the momentum and everything at the time. She’s done that all year.”

The Pirates didn’t take long to put the game away in the second half as Anna Moll scored two goals in two minutes to make it 4-0 Pirates.

Brynn Wibbenmeyer would join in on the fun with two goals of her own in a three-minute stretch to make it 6-0.

Anna Moll’s fun wasn’t done with the two goals though as she would complete the hat trick with a late strike to make it 7-0.

Despite all the goal-scoring, Fulton was impressed with the effort the Pirates put forth defensively.

“They played up to what we’ve been doing most of the year,” Fulton said.

With the win, Perryville finishes the regular season 14-3 and will now begin preparations for the Class 2 District 1 Tournament held at St. Pius X High School in Festus where the Pirates are the No. 1 seed.

“I think we just have to play our game,” Fulton said. “When we play our game and don’t try to play someone else’s game I think we’re pretty good. I believe if we go into it and do what we do best and just focus on that, I think we’ll be fine.”

Perryville is coming into the district tournament looking to make it three straight district titles.

“They know what’s gotta happen,” Fulton said. “They’re very serious. We have five seniors on this team and they would like to have another opportunity before they leave. It’s very possible but we have a lot of work to do in the meantime.”

For Saxony Lutheran, they will enter the Class 1 District 1 Tournament held at Kelly High School as the No. 1 seed.

Saxony Lutheran (9-8) will begin postseason play at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17 when the Crusaders take on the winner of Kelly vs Hancock in the semifinals of the Class 1 District 1 Tournament at Kelly High School.

Perryville (14-3) will be back in action at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 when the Pirates take on the No. 8 seed North County in the Class 2 District 1 Tournament at St. Pius X High School in Festus.