Two dynamic offenses set to square off Saturday

If you like goal-scoring, then Saturday’s Class 3 State Quarterfinal match will be for you.

The St. Vincent Indians (19-4) will host Ursuline Academy at 12 p.m. on May 27 in Perryville.

Both teams feature high-powered offenses capable of scoring goals and scoring them quickly.

Ursuline Academy has scored 22 goals in its last 7 games and the Indians have posted 33 goals in their last 7 games.

“We’re getting out there on the field, we’re talking and we’re getting the job done,” Indians coach Todd Strattman said. “Overall I just think the girls are having a good time.”

While the Indians are capable of scoring goals at a furious pace, Strattman attributes much of the teams' success to the defensive side of the ball.

“The defense is on fire,” Strattman said. “And if someone does get past our defense our rookie goalkeeper, Jocelynn Leible has amazed me with what she can do.”

According to Strattman, Leible is a first-year goalkeeper and has made huge strides from the beginning of the season.

“She’s got 10 shutouts on 62 saves so far this year,” Strattman said. “She’s learning and picking it up super quick. The more competitive games she’s in the better she’s getting.”

St. Vincent enters Saturday’s matchup having won 9 of its last 10 games.

“I honestly feel like every game we step on the field, we’re getting better and better,” Strattman said. “I think everything is starting to click and hopefully we can keep it rolling through Saturday.”

While the Indians’ ability to score goals could cause problems for Ursuline Academy, the same could be said about its ability to score goals as well.

“They’ve scored some major goals and hardly had any goals against,” Strattman said. “Our defense is going to have to be on top of it. We’ve been working on it, talking and watching film. We’re going to have to shut them down from scoring because they’re on a scoring roll.”

St. Vincent has had multiple games this season where the Indians have struck in the opening minute and Strattman feels that type of momentum could be a spark his team needs come Saturday.

“If we could jump on that momentum I would like to think that’s huge,” Strattman said. “I’m not saying we’re going to score in the first 35 seconds against a good team like Ursuline but I think it would be huge to get that momentum.”

The Class 3 State Quarterfinal match between Ursuline Academy and St. Vincent will begin at 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, at the Bank of Missouri Soccer Complex in Perryville.