Bulldogs soccer gets much-needed wins against SCC opponents

The Staunton boys' soccer team had quite the reversal of fortune from its previous week. After going 1-3 against some very tough opponents and struggling to put the ball in the net last week, the goals started to pour in like the flood gates had opened up. The boys won both of their games against South Central Conference opponents Greenville and Pana, and outscored them 13-2.

The week began with a road trip to Greenville on Tuesday to take on a Comet team with a similar record and team composition. Staunton was eager to get back on the pitch and prove itself, and it wouldn't have to wait long. In the 12th minute, senior defender and co-captain Adam Overby's corner kick found sophomore defender Ethan Sharp, who headed the ball beautifully into the back of the net. However, Staunton would only hold the lead for 10 minutes.

As predicted, the game was a tight, hard-fought match with back-and-forth action. After Greenville tied the game in the 22nd minute, Staunton answered right back. Senior striker Luke DeWitt netted the go-ahead goal on a pass from junior midfielder Victor Buehler seconds later. This time, the Bulldogs would hold the lead for only a mere seven minutes before the Comets found an answer of their own. The score was tied, 2-2, at the break.

After halftime, the scoring disappeared, but the tension did not. Neither team was willing to budge, and both teams remained scoreless at the end of regulation. According to SCC rules, teams that are tied at the end of regulation must play two 10-minute overtime periods to completion (regardless if anyone scores or not), and then if the game is still not decided, both teams go to penalty kicks.

With bad memories of the Litchfield game looming in their minds, the boys had no intention of making it to PKs. In fact, Luke DeWitt struck again when senior midfielder and co-captain Ashton Copeland sent a beautiful pass into a dangerous area. The Greenville goalkeeper tried to make a play on the ball, but DeWitt stole it at the last second and gladly placed it into the empty net. DeWitt's second goal would prove to be the game winner as the team escaped with a 3-2 victory over its conference foes.

With a win in hand, the boys were ready to welcome another conference opponent, Pana, to the Staunton Soccer Complex on Thursday. Sadly, Pana's roster had been devastated by injury and by lack of participation. They had only been able to travel with eight players to the game.

The Panthers put up a fight early, but the disadvantage was too much to overcome. Sophomore midfielder Dillon Pritchett stole a goal kick and scored in the fourth minute. Moments later, Pritchett crossed a beautiful ball to sophomore striker Rhyse Rucker, who made it 2-0. Before Pana could even realize what went wrong, Pritchett had netted a second goal, this time with the assist coming from DeWitt. The rout had begun.

Freshman midfielder Aaron Bodner joined the action as he fed DeWitt moments later to make it 4-0. Victor Buehler added a goal of his own two minutes later with sophomore midfielder Carson Buffington assisting. Senior striker Troy Albertina scored in the 12th minute with senior goalkeeper and co-captain Grant Neuhaus recording the assist. Neuhaus was able to play the field in this one due to the fact that Pana rarely possessed the ball or ever moved it past midfield.

In the 20th minute, Neuhaus scored a goal of his own when Overby found him on a cross in front of Pana's goal. At this point, the team had made several changes in personnel and positions, and senior defender Jack Pritchett had gladly moved to striker. The move eventually paid off as he, too, found the back of the net to make it 8-0. Freshman midfielder Tate Powell recorded the assist.

Once again, Neuhaus would find himself involved in the scoring. This time, it was sophomore defender Ford Klocke, from Bunker Hill, who scored. Neuhaus had his second assist of the game.

The score was now 9-0, and the team had already removed several players to try and even things out. It seemed to help, but not before the Bulldogs got one more. Carson Buffington got the game's final goal with sophomore midfielder Michael Brand assisting to make it 10-0 at the half. Due to the IHSA's "mercy" rule, the time was cut in half in the second half, and both teams played even the rest of the way.

With the two wins this week, the team now finds itself with an 8-9-1 record on the season and a 4-2 record in the SCC. The team looks to continue its winning ways against another SCC opponent, Carlinville, Tuesday at CHS. On Wednesday, the team finishes the regular season as it welcomes former SCC opponent Roxana for Senior Night. The team hopes to see everyone there to celebrate our six seniors, Troy Albertina, Ashton Copeland, Luke DeWitt, Grant Neuhaus, Adam Overby, and Jack Pritchett. The game starts at 5 p.m.