MONDAY SOCCER ROUNDUP: East edges Alton on late PK; Southwestern wins again

The Telegraph

Published 10:06 pm, Monday, April 9, 2018

A 1-0 loss to Belleville East on a late penalty kick stung the Alton High girls soccer players Monday night. But Redbirds coach Jeff Hayes said that if his team reacts the way he thinks it will, good can come front the Southwestern Conference road defeat.

East’s Grace Bauer converted the penalty kick in the 73rd minute, lifting the Lancers to the victory, despite being out shot by Alton 8-3.

“I know the girls are disappointed to lose this one on a PK when they played so well” Hayes said. “But I can see a lot of good coming from this game. I’m happy with their effort.”

East is 7-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

The Redbirds (5-4-1 overall and 1-2 in the SWC) saw their four-game winning streak halted by East.

“We had several solid chances,” Hayes said, “but they were turned away by (East goalie Grace) Tantillo.

“We did well controlling the game for long periods, but we just couldn’t get it past the last defender.

”Plus we limited their looks on goal. Most of their attack came from serving deadballs into the box. Our girls did a good job staying organized on the back line.”