The Saxony Lutheran boys soccer team got back in the win column Thursday night with a total team win over Anna-Jonesboro.
Three different Crusaders scored in the 5-0 win, including a hat trick performance from senior Bryce Meyer. Meyer’s three goals came in the 29th, 38th and 44th minutes and were assisted by Colton Cissell, Finn McQuay and Kobe Meyer. Cissell and Nick Chambliss scored as well in the win, with Cissell opening the scoring in the 5th minute with an assist from Kobe Meyer, and Chambliss scoring unassisted in the 20th minute.
Head coach Chris Crawford said the win was one of the best offensive performances of the year, and had a few things gone differently the score could have been even higher.
“We just really jumped on them right from the start,” Crawford said. “We possessed the ball, we were making pretty good runs, and we finished our opportunities. Honestly, in that first half we probably had three or four more opportunities that we should score, and we just weren’t able to capitalize. I really liked how we were clicking and sharing the ball, moving the ball side to side. A little more clinical finishing would have been nice, but still to score five goals is always great.”
The game was also the third clean sheet on the season for the Crusaders freshman goalkeeper Austin Fullford. Three of the Crusaders four wins as of September 18th have been in shutouts. “Our defense has played phenomenal all year,” Crawford said. “I’m super happy with how we defend. We still have some things to tighten up, but it’s a young season and we’ve got a big mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors. And so it’s really just kind of starting to gel a little bit for us.”
Saxony, which continued its season on Monday night with a 3-2 loss to Sikeston, has played most of their games at home so far. Five of the next six games for the Crusaders will be on the road, beginning with a trip to Kennett on Sept. 28. Following an Oct. 1 home match, Saxony will go on the road for four straight.
Crawford said his team still has a lot to learn about playing on the road since they have only had to do it once so far this season, but he believes the outstanding play of his defense is a good sign of what is to come.
“One thing that we talk about is that defense always travels,” he said. “If you can defend and block shots and keep possession of the ball and give other teams limited opportunities, it doesn’t matter if you’re home or away, you just have to finish your opportunities when you get them. Our mindset doesn’t change whether we’re at home or on the road, but you know it is tougher going on the roads and getting off the bus and having to do all those things, but the great teams find a way and so we’re going to work to do that.”
