Eagles Pull Away From Hancock, Advance To District Final

Sullivan tracked Admir Karic all over the field Tuesday.

Hancock's 40-goal scorer couldn't make a move without being double teamed by two Sullivan defenders.

The strategy paid off as Sullivan dominated Hancock 4-1 in the Class 2 District 2 semifinal. Hancock nipped Sullivan 1-0 in penalty kicks in last season's semifinal, but the Eagles were determined not to allow another letdown.

In a game head coach Bill Kackley thought Sullivan "could have won 12-1," Sullivan broke a 1-1 tie on the second of Jacob Rohrer's two goals, then Danny Keogh and Brendan Labbee added goals in the second half to pile on.

At halftime, with the Eagles up 2-1, Kackley said he told the team if they scored one more goal, they would frustrate Hancock.

Sullivan put a total of 20 shots on goal against the Tigers. "We just couldn't finish, but the kids battled and played a great game, Kackley said. "We played in their end and moved the ball well."

The Eagles' defense limited Karic, who is among the St. Louis area's leading scorers. Kackley knew they had to keep him down.

"I talked to them about how to defend. We had to know which side of the ball he would be on and where he would be on the field," he said. "We doubled him when he got the ball."

Last year, Sullivan had a defender chase him when he got the ball, but decided to double team him this time around.