MICDS, Villa Monday Soccer Showdown Looms Big

The MICDS soccer team knows full well there are no more easy games on the schedule. The Rams disposed of visiting Orchard Farm 5-0 Friday on a sweaty, steamy hot rain-threatening afternoon. That one was fairly easy to win.

But the next stretch is going to be tougher.

Coach Michael Black has called for an hour and a half practice Sunday night, followed by a home showdown for first place in the Metro Conference with Villa Duchesne; a match at Clayton then the opening round of district play.

Games with Lutheran St. Charles, O’Fallon Christian, Rosati Kain and Brentwood are in the rear view mirror. “We are going to toughen up the schedule next year,” said Black, knowing he graduates just five seniors who play regularly and has a group of up top attackers all returning.

Sophomore Caroline Militello and freshman Courtney Kaplan are in that cast to be counted upon.

Each scored a pair in the win over the Eagles; Amber Jones had the other goal.

Militello’s was a classic, a second half header off a perfect pass from Izzy Howerton. “She (Izzy) got it to me perfectly,scoring was easy,” said Militello. That goal was scored on second-half goalie Abby Gruendler.

Starting goalkeeper Britney Boyer, freshman played admirably for the Eagles, including taking a hard shot to the face. She did however allow three first half goals.

Kaplan scored easily just two minutes into the game. She broke free from a defender and dribbled some 20 yards before blasting a hard shot past Boyer. Freshman Amber Jones got the second goal, and Kaplan got a beauty, the third on a bender to the left of the keeper to end the half.

In the second half, Militello got her header quickly, then Militello shut down the scoring with a solo goal with 14:41 left in the match.

“I gotta say that header felt good. Izzy hit me with a perfect cross. Now we have Villa next and that will be a much tougher game,” said Militello. The Villa game is Monday, 4 p.m. on the Rams turf.

If MICDS wins, they become co-champs with 4-1 records. “They (Villa) did that to us last year, we have the chance to do the same,” said Black.

Kaplan, who plays club for Scott Gallagher Elite and likes soccer over basketball was satisfied with her performance.

“It felt good to get both of those goals. It feels good to win 10 of our last 11 games,” said the very athletic freshman. “We’ve got a good streak going.”

Monday will tell if that streak keeps on going or not.