John Burroughs Meets Crossroads in Sectional Soccer

The formula for success for the John Burroughs' girls soccer team this season has been a simple one.

Just don't allow the opponent to score.

The Bombers have won seven games this season, including their last three in succession. In six of those games, again including a regular season 2-0 win over Lutheran North and a 10-0 win over Maplewood and a 4-0 triumph over Brentwood in district play, have come via a shutout by Haley Botteron.

John Burroughs looks to continue its shutout string and its 2011 season as it takes on Crossroads in a Class 2 Sectional game Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Midwest Soccer Academy in south St. Louis. this is on the Tilles Park Field at Hampton and Fyler avenues.

"We have been pretty solid defensively for most of the season," John Burroughs coach Alan Trzecki said. "We have struggled at times to score goals."

The Bombers scored goals in bunches in the playoffs but a lot of that had to do with their opposition.

"We were able to find a rhythm in our possession game in districts and hope to continue that," Trzecki said.

Kate Koby leads the Bombers in goals with seven.

Crossroads, on the other hand, have a proven finisher in Claudia Testa, who has 20 goals and 16 assists.

"I saw Crossroads in its district championship game," Trzecki said. "They seem to be a well organized team and they have some strong midfield players with very good skills and a dynamic striker. Their goalkeeper did not have a lot of work but she looked strong as well."

Crossroads outscored its opponents by a combined score of 50-10. The Current went undefeated in the South Central Athletic Association and finished 12-2 overall.

Crossroads started the season with five wins before falling to Affton 2-0. The Current followed with six more wins, all by shutout. That streak was snapped by a 5-4 loss to Barat Academy.

Burroughs would seem to have a slight edge when looking at comparative scores. The Bombers defeated Barat 2-1 in the regular season.

Maplewood and Brentwood are also common opponents. Burroughs defeated Maplewood 10-0 in the district semifinals while Crossroads beat the Blue Devils twice by 6-0 margins. Burroughs beat Brentwood 4-0 in the district finals. Crossroads beat Brentwood twice, by scores of 2-0 and 3-1.

The winner of Tuesday's sectional will move on to quarterfinal play Saturday against the winner of the St. Vincent-St. Elizabeth sectional game.