LEBANON • Two goals doesn't exactly qualify as an offensive explosion, but combine that with a season-opening win, and it's big news for the Mascoutah soccer team.
The Indians got second-half goals from juniors Trevor Tillung and Patrick Cox and held on for a 2-1 win Tuesday afternoon at Lebanon, which was also playing its first game.
"I won't say they were better shots, but I think we had more shots on goal and I was glad to see that," said Mascoutah coach Ron Sergott.
"We've struggled the last few years on offense. Not that we haven't had good players, but they thought that handling the ball in the middle of the field was more advantageous than putting the ball in the goal."
After a scoreless first half with few good chances for either team, Mascoutah got on the scoreboard one minute and 57 seconds into the second half. Chris Huetsch made a crossing pass to Sean Brien, who deflected the ball to Tillung, who put a shot past Lebanon goalie Matt Mumford from 20 yards out.
"It was a fun game," said Mascoutah senior captain Evan Neace. "After the last few years with ties against Lebanon or losses to them, It was nice to come out and get two goals. We gave up one, but that's alright because we came out with the win."
The Indians boosted their lead to 2-0 with 16:15 remaining on a goal that would have been described as an infield fly in baseball. Cox took a pass from Nolan Dixon and kicked a high shot that bounced just in front of the net and got past Mumford on the lower left corner.
"I've seen that kind of goal scored many times when I was at other schools," Sergott said. "A kid puts a moon ball up from 45 or 50 yards out and the goalie is just a little out of position. The wind stops and it goes in. We were fortunate to get that goal."
With 11:42 to play, Lebanon got itself back in the game, as senior Tommy Pilackas took a long pass from Mumford, slipped past several Mascoutah defenders and booted the ball past diving Indians keeper Kyle Neace.
"That was a tactical error," Sergott said. "Our halfback got beat and our fullback failed to go ahead and cover. (Pilackas) is a big strong boy and he took one heck of a shot from 25 yards out."
The Greyhounds nearly tied the game with 8:20 remaining. Pilackas took a header off a corner kick from Adam Taylor, but defender Nick Hudgins knocked the ball away.
"I always say that protecting a two-goal lead is the most dangerous thing in soccer," Sergott said. "Once they get a goal, their enthusiasm and expectations are pumped up. They put a lot of pressure on us."
Despite the loss, first-year Lebanon coach Dan Bleisch found reason to be encouraged.
"Our long throws are real dangerous and our corner kicks are good," Bleisch said. "I think we're going to be strong. We have a varsity-only program because our numbers are kind of small this year, but we have a strong group of seniors to build around."
Mascoutah appeared to have a third goal, by Huetsch, with 1:12 to play, but the goal was disallowed due to an offsides call. Time was called when Huetsch had severe leg cramps after colliding with Mumford, but he was able to keep playing.
Lebanon continued to apply pressure in the final minute of play. With 25 seconds on the clock, another corner kick by Taylor resulted in a header by Michael Jennings, but Kyle Neace got a hand and deflected it away from the net.
"The last two minutes, both teams were tired, but I think we had better endurance," Evan Neace said. "We had a great save by my brother in goal.
"We had tons of shots today and from last year, that's a great improvement. That's what we've got to do to win ballgames."
The majority of Lebanon's best scoring chances came after the Greyhounds fell behind 2-0.
"We played aggressive and I like our team camaraderie," Bleisch said. "We're getting some good leadership."
Bleisch played soccer at Mascoutah as a freshman and sophomore before moving to Belleville East. He played two years for the Lancers and graduated in 2003. He played two years each at Southwestern Illinois and McKendree University. He was an assistant coach at East last season.
"I have a degree in physical education and drivers' ed and I'm trying to find a full-time teaching job," said Bleisch, who is currently a teachers' aide at Lebanon. "This is a big transition because Belleville East has huge numbers and excellent training facilities.
"You come here and there are 200 kids in the high school. Everything is smaller, but we've got a good group of kids."
