Scott Kane | For The Telegraph
GODFREY — Jeff Hayes knew coming into Thursday’s Southwestern Conference matchup with Collinsville that the Kahoks presented a formidable challenge for his Alton High girls soccer team.
Following Collinsville’s 4-0 victory at the new Alton High soccer field, Hayes said he was proven correct, but that the margin of the Redbirds’ defeat had him shaking his head.
“(Collinsville) is a very good team, there’s no doubt about that,” Hayes said. “I’m not sure they’re four goals better than we are – but I guess they were today.
“You get one chance a season at them; I expected a better effort.”
The Kahoks pulled away with three unanswered second-half goals, including one on a deep flip throw- by Chayse Richardson early in the half.
“I thought we played fairly well in the first half,” Hayes said. “We created a few chances to score and (the Kahoks) scored their goal on a restart that there wasn’t much anybody could do anything about.
“But once (Collinsville) scored their second goal, you could see it took something out of us. They are strong at every position and you need to bring your best game to run with them.”
The loss left Alton at 9-3-2 overall and 0-2-1 in the SWC. Front-running Collinsville is 9-1-2 and 4-0-1.
Three of the Kahoks’ four goals came off dead-ball situations, including the one off Richardson’s throw-in. From the right sideline deep in the Alton defensive zone, the ball was headed in by Tayler Devin.
The goal came early in the second half and made it 2-0. It was Richardson’s third assist of the season on a throw-in.
“We’re starting to get some goals off (Richardson’s) throw-ins,” Collinsville coach Clayton Smith said. “It can be an effective weapon. But to tell the truth, this was one we probably shouldn’t have gotten.”
Hayes agreed.
“They flooded the box,” Hayes said. “But we didn’t defend it well. We knew they like to use that and we stressed not giving up any deep throw-ins.”
Collinsville had taken the halftime lead on a direct free kick goal by Emily Holten. Following a foul against the Redbirds, Holten blasted a line-drive shot from about 30 yards that zipped into the upper-left corner of the goal with 8:47 remaining in the first half.
“You have to take off your hat to her on that one,” Hayes said. “It was a really nice shot.
“But overall, I thought we did a good job against them in the first half. we kept our defensive shape and we were able to connect some passes and create a few chances.”
Alton created three scoring chances of its own during a seven-minute stretch in the first half. But each time, the ball would be smothered by Collinsville goalie Julie Scheiter or the Redbirds’ last touch would be defected or stolen by the Kahoks defense.
Collinsville’s only loss on the season was 2-1 to Visitation Academy in the Parkway College Showcase. They’ve registered some impressive victories, defeated the likes of Missouri teams Cor Jesu, Helias of Jefferson City and Nixa and getting draws with Nerinx Hall and SWC rival Edwardsville. The Kahoks have allowed only 10 goals against in 12 games and have registered four shutouts. Thursday, they outshot Alton 9-3.
In the second half, the Kahoks picked up steam.
“It’s almost like they get more momentum as the games go on,” Hayes said.
Following Devine’s goal that made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute, the Kahoks added two more.
Hannah Liljegren scored in a rebound after a long free kick by Holten was tipped high by Alton goalie Michaela Lucas. That came in the 51st minute and made it 3-0.
Holten registered another assist in the 63rd minute when she threaded a pass to Alyannah O’Leary, who streaked in on left wing and buried a shot from about 15 yards.
Alton will be off until April 25 when it plays host to Columbia, while Collinsville next has a home rematch with Nerinx Hall next Tuesday.
