Tigers defeat Mehville with second-half surge

Before some of the Central soccer faithful had even piled out of their cars on Tuesday, the host Tigers were already trailing.

Mehlville scored in the first two minutes of Tuesday's game, but the Tigers bounced back with three goals in the second half for a 4-2 win. Central improved to 15-2 and has lost just one game since its season opener.

Brett Gregory gave the Panthers the early 1-0 lead by converting on a free-kick just outside the goal box. Gregory bent a left-footed shot just inside the left goal post.

"We were a little bit surprised," Central forward Matt Hester said of the start. "That was a nice shot. We just stepped it up. We had to get on each other a little bit, but we got it done."

Central showed no signs of panic after the goal. Using the sidelines with deft one and two-touch passing, the Tigers dominated possession for much of the half.

Less than 10 minutes after falling behind, Tyson Whiteside tied the game. Whiteside beat the goalie on a feed from Sam Bornstein, who beat several defenders in order to make the pass.

The score remained 1-1 at halftime, but Central had the momentum going into the second half. Mehlville goalie Ryan Boyer slid out to stop Whiteside on a breakaway early in the second half, but about 10 minutes into the half the Tigers took the lead.

Boyer once again thwarted Whiteside, but this time Central pounced on the rebound. Hester put the ball away for the 2-1 lead.

"I thought Matt Hester had a very good game," Central coach Tom Doyle said. "He keeps working hard."

Just when it looked like the Tigers would take control of the game -- shortly after Hester's goal Lance Altenthal was stopped on a point-blank shot by Boyer -- the Panthers responded. Kyle Horvat slipped behind the Central defense and tied the score with about 15 minutes remaining.

Hester was there once again to give the Tigers the lead. Less than 10 minutes after Mehlville scored, Hester made a highlight-reel goal on a turnaround shot.

"I was pulling back, saw the ball and shot it," Hester said. "I knew it was going to be on goal, but I didn't know it would go in the corner. It curved a bit."

Whiteside added an insurance goal on an assist from Asad Malik for the 4-2 final. Jordan Young made several tough saves in goal for the Tigers.

"It feels like our first halves are a little sluggish, but we pour it on in the second half," Hester said. "Hopefully it gets a little better once district comes around."

Central, which has played just two games at home this season, will host Sikeston tonight and Columbia Hickman on Friday.

The Tigers' junior varsity team won 1-0.