Schlichting’s hat trick leads Tigers over Crusaders

Preston Schlichting once again finds himself an integral part of the Cape Central Tigers attack.

Schlichting, a senior, lights up the score sheet game in and game out for the Tigers.

In Monday’s 3-0 win over the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders, Schlichting dominated, posting a hat trick in the win.

Schlichting’s opening goal came off a feed from Max Cairns.

“We were having struggles playing out of the back,” Schlichting said. “On that one, we split their midfield and it gave (Max) enough space to play me a good ball in so I could tuck it away.”

Schlichting said at halftime, the group felt like they were close to breaking through.

“We hit the post on one and (Saxony Lutheran) had a couple good stops,” Schlichting said. “We were getting kind of unlucky but we were able to put the first one away and it gave us momentum.”

Another key to the Tigers’ win was the physicality with which they played.

“It just gives you a little edge on teams,” Schlichting said. “If you fold to other team’s physicality then they will just bully you so you just have to go out and be (the more physical team).”

Over the course of his four-year career, Schlichting has scored countless goals for the Tigers.

“I am attacking minded all the time,” Schlichting said. “If I see space or I see a defender off balance then I immediately poach that space and I attack right away.”

With it being his final season, Schlichting definitely feels as if there’s some added pressure.

“I feel a lot of pressure as one of the captains,” Schlichting said. “We have to hold up a young team and give them good leadership. We have a lot of good players.”

Schlichting wears the captain arm band alongside Cairns, an opportunity he doesn’t take lightly.

“I want to be a good example and be more positive than negative,” Schlichting said. “Also just trying to explain certain situations and what they could maybe do better.”

Schlichting and the Tigers (5-4-1) are back in action at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, when they host Jackson at Cape Central High School.