MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Alton’s Sydney Schmidt has a knack for seeing the soccer field. And what she saw Saturday against Washington, Mo. was plenty.

Schmidt, who plays a defensive central midfielder for the Redbirds, is often the player who gets things started for Alton – or shut down for the opposition. She led the shutdown effort against a strong, gusting wind in the second half Saturday and helped her team to a 4-0 win on the second day of the Parkway College Showcase at the Lou Fusz Soccer Complex.

“It was kind of tough defending against the wind,” said Schmidt, who added an assist Saturday. “It was nice to get up in the first half when we had the wind at our backs.

“We knew it would be tougher in the second half, so I made sure I was aware of what was around me and made sure I was withdrawn a little deeper.”

Washington was able to increase its offensive pressure somewhat and created some goal-scoring chances, but Schmidt and the rest of the Alton defense held them at bay.

The Redbirds, who ran their record to 8-0-2 on the season, scored three goals in the first half – and came within a hair of making it four. Freshman Alaina Nasello had a goal and teammate Bri Hatfield had a pair of first-half goals – and would have had another, if not for the center referee whistling the end of the first half a split second her breakaway shot crossed the line.

“That’s the rule,” Alton coach Jeff Hayes said of the disallowed goal. “If there had been a scoreboard clock running, no one would have said a word.”

Washington, which was outshot 14-4, dropped to 2-4. In Friday’s showcase action, Alton defeated Troy, Mo. Buchanan 3-0 and Washington beat Hazelwood Central 3-2.

The Redbirds made their hay early, with temperatures in the low 40-degree range and the winds gusting.

Hatfield redirected a cross from the left wing by Katie Kercher and buried the shot in the fourth minute. Three minutes later, Hatfield’s corner kick from the left side bent into the goal to make it 2-0.

“Taking advantage of the wind can be critical,” Hayes said. “Sometimes, people make too much of the wind, but it is a factor and you have to be aware.”

After falling behind 2-0, Washington became more awar of Aton tendency to send the ball through on timed runs on the artificial turf and began puling up to create offisdes situations. The tactic was effective – until Nasello received a pass through the midfield from Schmidt and raced in on the right side and slipped the ball inside the near post to make it 3-0 on the 30th minute.

As time was running out, Hatfield took over the ball just past midfield and scooted down the center of the field. She took a shot from about 18 yards that hit the back of the net, but the referee ruled the half ended before the ball crossed the goal line.

In the second half, the Redbirds maintained their pressure, despite facing the wind.

Katie Kercher scored in the 55th minute to make it 4-0. As she and Washington goalie Katie Baer raced for the bouncing ball near the top of the penalty area, Kercher pushed the ball between the goalie’s legs, raced around her and tapped a shot. The ball rolled slowly toward the goal line and crossed it before an onrushing Washington defender could reach it.

Hayes said he breathed a little easier after that goal.

“Scoring quickly against the wind was big,” he said. “And the way our defense played from that point was, too.”

Schmidt said that even though her team was ahead by four goals, it was important to continue to control the midfield and maintain possession.

“(Washington) is a good team and we knew that with the wind blowing like it’s been blowing, just a bounce one way or anther could mean they are back in the game.

“We have a real positive attitude on this team,” she said. “We all know our roles and it’s support each other.”

Hayes agreed.

“It’s a good group that is working hard and,” he said. “They showed that by the way they closed out this game.”

Reach Pete Hayes at 463-2500 or Twitter @HayeserPete