Playing against one of the top ranked teams in the St. Louis area, the Lady Kahok soccer team did not expect it to be that easy. Collinsville (11-5-2) grabbed a lead just 15 seconds into the game and cruised to a 3-0 victory Tuesday against Ursuline Academy (11-7).
Andrea Frerker / Photo by Sherry Holten
Before the crowd had a chance to dry their seats, Mikayla McCarthy came open on a run on goal and snuck the ball under the keeper to the right post to give the Kahoks a 1-0 lead. Collinsville controlled play against the Bears throughout the first half on a field slick from rain which fell throughout most of the day.
At exactly the midway point of the half, Kelsey Delisle got a foot on a loose ball and tapped it past the goalkeeper to give the host team a 2-0 lead in their final home match of the season. The score remained 2-0 at the half.
Collinsville jumped on the Bears early in the second half. At 38:43, Emily Holten skipped a hot shot on goal. The keeper could not control the rebound and the opportunistic McCarthy pounced on the ball, dropping it over the prostrate keeper for her second goal of the match.
The goal was McCarthy’s eight of the year and seventh in three games. She went for a hat trick against Althoff in the Lady Kahoks most recent game and just missed a hat trick with 45 seconds remaining Tuesday when she came free on a breakaway, but her shot was knocked clear by the keeper.
Collinsville Head Coach Clay Smith said McCarthy is coming around at the right time of year.
“She’s doing some great things off the ball. She has a ton of confidence right now and she’s finding her teammates as well,” Smith said. “She’s smiling and having fun, that’s what’s most important.”
Playing with a large deficit, Ursuline began to push forward in the second half and get some better looks on goal. With 24:58 remaining, Katie Richter came free on the right side. However, her strike from 20 yards went comfortably wide left.
Ursuline had another close chance three minutes later, but substitute goalie Julie Scheiter corralled the shot without taking a step. Collinsville regained control of the game in the final 10 minutes to complete the shutout.
Smith said his team came prepared to play.
“This is probably one of the best performances I’ve seen out of this team this year,” Smith said.
The victory concluded Collinsville’s regular season. The Lady Kahoks open Regional play at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 against Belleville East at Belleville West.
