Scott Kane File Photos | For The Telegraph
GODFREY — Jeff Hayes knew that if his Alton High girls soccer team was to have a chance of upsetting top-seeded Collinsville in the 3A regional final, things would have to break nearly perfectly for his Redbirds. But when Taylor Devine put the Kahoks ahead with a goal in the first five minutes of play, Hayes knew an upset would be even tougher.
“It’s tough to go down early against a team as good as Collinsville, ” Hayes said. “It’s difficult enough to beat a team like that.”
Alton went on to drop that title match 5-0 Saturday at Kahok Stadium. It wasn’t the ending the Redbirds and their finds wanted, of course, but according to Hayes, “It wasn’t for lack of effort.”
The first-year AHS coach said that despite the way the season ending, the 12-6-3 Redbirds came a long way in a short period of time this season.
“We set some goals at the beginning of the season,” Hayes said. “Those were realistic goals and we achieved many of them.
“With us being such a young team, I wasn’t sure how we would compete at this level. We fell short of some of the goals, but overall, I thought we improved from Day 1 and showed that we definitely can hold our own.”
The Redbirds’ appearance in the regional title game was in itself a goal that some doubted could happen – as late as the eve of the tournament last week. Alton faced Belleville East in the semifinals and advanced with an overtime penalty-kick victory.
“That game showed how tough this team became,” Hayes said. “We had a good blend of young players and older ones who helped with their experience.”
One those younger players, freshman Alaina Nasello, earned a starting spot at forward and finished second on the team in scoring with nine goals and five assists.
“Alaina was small but mighty,” Hayes said of the diminutive Nasello, who stands 5-1. “She’s tough as they come. She’s definitely a fighter. I think it’s in her DNA.”
Nasello is the daughter of former Alton coach and player Greg Nasello adn the niece of former Redbird Tim Nasello. Her older brother , C.J. Nasello will be a senior next fall and is a starter for the AHS boys soccer team.
Alaina Nasello was forced to miss the regional final after going down with an ankle injury in the Belleville East game.
“She definitely didn’t want to come out,” Hayes said. “Even when we were carrying her off the field, she was telling us she was OK.”
Leading the way offensively was another “youngster,’ sophomore Bri Hatfield.
“She does so much, it’s hard to remember sometimes that she was a sophomore,” Hayes said. “We relied on her an awful lot, but she never complained, even though she had some aches and pains along the way,.
Hatfield led the Redbirds in scoring with 14 goals and 10 assists.
Among the other players in the youth movement are sophomore forward Katie Kercher, who scored eight goals and had five assists, and freshman forward Morgan Rauscher, who had two goals and two assists.
Sydney Mossman – one of only three seniors – helped anchor the midfield and scored two goals and added an assist along the way.
The Redbirds’ defense drew plenty of praise from Hayes.
“We gave up fewer goals than we did the last two years,” he said. “It’s a hard-working group that takes pride in playing defense.”
Alton, which started yhe season 5-0, outscored its opposition 49-29 and had four shutouts.
Among the leaders on defense were junior Lexi Schrimpf, freshman Calista Cox, sophomore Taylor Imming and junior Annie Evans.
Hayes platooned Julia-May Campbell and sophomore Michaela Lucas in goal, with Campbell logging about a half of a game more time over the course of the season.
“Having two good keepers is a luxury,” Hayes said. “We never settled on just one, but next year, I’m going to challenge them both to earn that spot. They’re both good athletes and good friends.”
Then Hayes mentioned freshman midfielder Megan Zini.
“She wasn’t on the JV roster to begin the season,” he said. “But she worked hard and before you now it, she’s giving us some important minutes at midfield on the varsity.
“She kind of epitomized our team this year – they kept working hard and kept improving.”
Reach Pete Hayes at 463-2500 or Twitter @HayeserPete
