Prost, Adams has St. Vincent starting season strong

St. Vincent girls' soccer continues its scorching start to the season with a 4-0 win over Poplar Bluff on Saturday in the SEMO Soccer Classic at Cape Central High School to improve to 2-0.

Junior Cailyn Prost and freshman Lana Adams each scored two goals to power the Indians' offense. The duo has also scored two goals apiece during their earlier 5-1 win over Cape Central a week ago.

"Both of them are very good, got great sportsmanship," St. Vincent coach Todd Strattman said, "they're just good kids. They are both good role models and both great players."

It was expected for an upperclassman like Prost to rise to the occasion. There isn’t much precedent for a freshman like Adams to be as equally impactful, but she has plenty of soccer experience through playing for travel teams.

“She is a phenomenal player," Strattman said, "a great athlete and she's gonna be good for our team this year.”

A common theme between the Indians' two wins this season has been improved communication, according to Strattman.

“Everybody's playing well together," Strattman said. "We're talking more than we talked as a team last year. We didn't talk as a team. This year, we're talking as a team and I feel like it's making all the difference on the field. We're moving the ball.”

The Indians kept the Mules away from the net all game but the reason had more to do with the offense holding onto the ball and staying on the attack than containing the opposing offense.

“Offense is the best defense," Strattman said.

"Usually, you'd see a lot of Kamille Graham," he said. "She's our senior center fullback. She is she's our team leader. She does phenomenally on the back. We didn't see a lot of our defense."

St. Vincent has outscored their opponents 9-1 during the first two games. The Indians finished 13-10-1 last season and graduated six starters, but the youth have seemingly given them new life and potential for a much improved 2023.

"I gotta say I'm thoroughly impressed," Strattman said. "I'm looking forward to get three games next week."