CHESTERFIELD • Sometimes you just have to grind it out.
That is what the visiting DeSmet soccer team did Tuesday evening in a 2-1 come-from-behind St. Louis Soccer Classic victory at Parkway Central.
“We know we haven’t played as well as we would’ve liked over the (past) few games,’’ Spartans defender Pat Conroy said. “We seem to be going through a little bit of a slump right now, but hopefully a win like this will get us going again.’’
Both the Spartans, ranked No. 1 among STLhighschoolsports.com large schools, and the No. 10 Colts won their brackets in the Gateway City Soccer Classic over the weekend and also played Monday.
Coming off a 3-1 loss to Fort Zumwalt West Monday, DeSmet, 13-2-1, played six games in as many days, while Central, also 13-2-1, played seven matches over the last eight days.
“It’s a tough stretch, but it’s also fun because we’re getting a chance to test ourselves against quality competition,’’ Central coach John Theobald said after his club suffered its first loss in 10 games. “Today, the better team won -- DeSmet is an excellent side -- but if somebody had told me that we were going to go 6-1 during this stretch, I’m pretty sure I would’ve taken it.’’
DeSmet controlled the game’s pace with its possession game, but Central grabbed the lead in the 13th minute, courtesy of Nick Helmbacher’s long throw-in. Helmbacher’s throw, from near the 50-yard line, was flicked by Alex Whalen to Brian Hillhouse at the back post. Hillhouse’s volley gave the Colts a 1-0 lead.
“Nick’s throws have been key for us all year,’’ Theobald said. “It’s a weapon that gives us a legitimate scoring opportunity on any throw in the opponents’ end of the field.’’
DeSmet’s best first-half chance came late in regulation as Central keeper Andrew Chekadanov came up with a diving stop on a short-side shot from the Spartans’ Dominic Berra.
DeSmet tied it with just over 29 minutes to play on a goal similar to the one scored by Central. Scott Russo played a free kick from the left side into the box for Prince Kabadeh, who flicked it to B.J. Tucker at the back post for the tap-in.
The game-winning goal came with about 12 nimutes left. After receiving a pass from Sean Badock on the right wing, DeSmet’s Kevin Lewman dribbled to the end line before cutting a pass back to Kabadeh, who ripped a 12-yard shot off the finger tips of Chekadanov and into the upper-right corner.
“We’ve been playing in a bit of a funk lately, but we pulled it out,’’ DeSmet coach Greg Vitello said.
Both teams finish up in the St. Louis Soccer Classic event against defending state champions on Thursday. Central plays at Whitfield at 4:30 p.m., while DeSmet hosts St. Mary’s at 6 p.m.
