Tigers end scoreless deadlock, win 2-0

Central shook Hazelwood West with a pair of second-half goals.

By Bill Hester ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian

FENTON, Mo. -- It looked like it might be one of those days for the Cape Girardeau Central soccer team Tuesday evening.

The Tigers peppered Hazelwood West goalkeeper Nick Lamberti time and again, especially in the final 10 minutes of the first half when they had a half dozen quality scoring chances.

But Lamberti was up to the task each time in a scoreless first half.

It took a fluke goal to get the Tigers started, as Sam Bornstein scored on a deflection by a Wildcat defender early in the second half. Ryan Ponder added an insurance goal in the final minutes as the Tigers won 2-0 at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park.

"I knew that they (Hazelwood West) had to be feeling good about being tied at halftime," TIger coach Tom Doyle said. "We could have easily been up two or three goals. I was real pleased about everything about the first half with the exception of the fact that we did not score."

That changed early in the second half though after a long run by center midfielder Bornstein.

"It was one of those games where we were dominating but couldn't get a goal," said Bornstein, who had a great chance himself in the final minute of the first half. "I didn't think I had any angle at all so I tried to cross the ball. It deflected off one of their defenders and into the goal. I was lucky but at that time that was what it took."

It was the second varsity goal for Bornstein, whose brother Aaron (who is now at Truman State University) was a key player for last year's Final Four squad.

"Sam is doing a real good job in the center midfield," Doyle said. "Sam may have better overall skills than his brother but he is not as quick as Aaron."

Hazelwood West had a few dangerous opportunities after Bornstein's goal, but goalkeeper Jordan Young, who played the second half after Tony Lueckel started, and a solid Cape Central defense kept the Wildcats off the board.

"Our keeper kept us in the game in the first half," Hazelwood West coach Jason Sellers said. "I was very impressed with the team speed of Cape Central. They are one of the fastest teams I have seen. They are quick all over the field."

The Tigers hope that quickness will bode well this weekend as they travel north again for the Francis Howell Tournament. Cape Central opens at Francis Howell Central Friday at 5 p.m. Jefferson City, Howell North, Park Hill South, Francis Howell, Eureka and Oak Park are also in the tournament which concludes Saturday at 6 p.m. at Francis Howell North.