Eagles Split With Washington, St. Clair

Led by a hat trick from Jacob Rohrer, Sullivan posted their first conference win Thursday with a 5-1 decision over St. Clair.

It followed a 2-1 loss in the home opener Tuesday against Washington.

Landon Hoffman and Colton Ward also had goals for the Eagles. The defense limited St. Clair to just two shots on goal. Blake Dautenhahn played 75 minutes as goalkeeper and made one save. Joshua Wiese spent five minutes in net.

The Eagles went up 2-0 in the first half on a pair of goals by Rohrer. St. Clair answered with a goal by Zach Browne. 

Rohrer scored again to establish a two-goal lead early in the second half. Hoffman picked up a goal on a penalty kick midway through the second half to put the Eagles up 4-1. Eight minutes later, Ward found the back of the net. 

Sullivan head coach Bill Kackley was pleased with the performance and liked the aggression his team showed against a rival.

“Sullivan-St. Clair is always a challenge,” he said. “I was happy to see us win like we did.”

Kackley said the Eagles were able to maintain possession despite a difficult night passing.

“Our passing was not as good as it had been, but we still controlled it in the first half,” Kackley said. 

Sullivan also committed eight fouls, which gave St. Clair scoring chances.

Washington

The Eagles welcomed 2017 Class 3 runner-up Washington and walked off with a 2-1 defeat. The Eagles put more shots on goal than Washington, but Jays keeper Ottmar Escalante stopped seven of eight shots.

Andrew Bell had Sullivan’s only goal. Dautenhahn made five saves.

Kackley said Sullivan controlled the ball and had Washington chasing them around the field. Washington scored on goals by Michael Andrews. 

The first goal came on a breakaway after Washington stole possession. Kackley said the second goal came on a “bad foul” that led to a free kick. Andrews finished with a header. 

“It was a nice goal but it shouldn’t have happened,” Kackley said. “We got to limit bad fouls.”

Sullivan had their opportunities to score, but just couldn’t finish. Despite that, Kackley said it was a great game.

“They have a good program from a bigger school,” he said. “It helps prepare us for conference and district. We were frustrated because we have high expectations.”

Up Next

It’s shaping up to be a big week with a home game against Union and an away game at Perryville, one of the state’s tougher programs. Kackley said Ethan Kackley, who got hurt against Washington and sat out against St. Clair, should return, along with Jacob Wiley. Wiley is the team’s starting goalkeeper.

Union lost to Northwest 6-1 and St. Francis Borgia 5-1. Perryville is just 2-3, but play a more difficult schedule.