SLUH puts away Central in second half of shutout

For 40 minutes the Central Tigers played toe-to-toe Tuesday with the Saint Louis University High Junior Billikens at Houck Stadium.

But with the score already 2-0, the Tigers (18-7-1) dug themselves a whole they could never get out of and stumbled in the second half en route to a 4-0 loss in the sectional round of the Class 3 playoffs.

"If you don't put it in the net you don't win," Central coach Tom Doyle said after the loss.

Central was not without its share of chances throughout the game, especially in the first half when the Tigers used their speed advantage. Both teams used the artificial surface for quick one-touch and two-touch passes.

Billikens coach Charlie Martel said he was surprised by the speed of Central's forwards.

"This is the quickest team we've played all year," he said.

For the Billikens (23-3-2), fullback David Mueller caused the Tigers' defense problems coming up from the backfield. It was one of his many forward runs midway through the half that resulted in the opening goal.

Adam Twellman, who had 15 goals coming into the game, took the cross from Mueller and beat Tiger goalie Aaron Meystedt, who didn't have a chance to react.

Martel said playing the ball outside and using their wingers is what they do best.

"We love space," he said.

Even after the first goal Central continued to stick with SLUH and had a good opportunity off an outside shot by Jordan Duncan that was saved at the last minute by the Billiken goalie. Just minutes later Tiger goal-scoring leader Heath Orr was sprung on a breakaway by Grant Hengst but had the ball knocked away at the last second.

"They never quit, they kept coming at us and at us," Martel said.

With the Tigers creating chance after chance, it looked as if they would be able to equalize. But the Billikens changed that momentum with a goal from Mueller off of a late corner kick with four minutes left in the half.

"When the second goal went in I knew we were in trouble," Orr said.

Coming out of halftime the Tigers kept the pressure on. Orr once again broke away from the SLUH defense but pushed the ball just wide of the net.

The Billikens went to the sideline again midway through the half though and Joe Germanese, the Billikens' leading scorer, put away a cross to put the game out of reach.

Orr said the third goal unraveled the team.

"After that third goal everyone got upset with the referees and stopped playing soccer," he said.

With the Tigers on their heels Brent Zang played a perfect free kick to Tim Weir who slipped it by Meystedt for the fourth and final goal.

Orr said his team just ran into a strong team in the Billikens, ranked second in the Post-Dispatch large schools poll.

"They were just the superior team," he said.

Doyle, who remains winless in the sectional round, said he hopes to add stronger teams to next year's schedule to better prepare them for the sectionals, but is proud of his team's season.

"18-7, that's a pretty good overall record," he said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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