The Salem Wildcats record breaking soccer season has come to an end, as they fell in the 2a regional semifinals to 2nd seed Triad yesterday 1-0. The Knights scored on a Penalty Kick in the first half after Salem had an inadvertent hand ball in the box to account for the only scoring. Salem’s defense of Oliver Morton, Avery and Payton Gullion and Carter Lowe played their best game of the season in keeping Triad off the board in the 2nd half. The Cats had chances with Caleb Purintun’s rocket shot was blocked by a great save from the goalie and Eli Baker had a shot on a breakaway in the game’s final minutes that missed just inches wide right. The Cats season ends with a school record in wins at 18-3 and say goodbye to their 3 seniors, including 4-year starter and 3-year captain Keaton Gullion, 4 year contributor Oliver Morton as well as Parker Findley. Triad advances to play the winner of tonight’s 2nd semifinal between Effingham and Mascoutah.
Deacon Snow scored the Orphans lone goal as they fell to Freeburg 2-1 in their Waterloo regional semifinal. The Midgets advance to play Waterloo who shutout Mt Vernon 7-0.
Also yesterday in regional semifinals at Althoff, the hosts beat Litchfield 7-1 and Civic Memorial shutout Highland 2-0. At Carbondale it was Marion over Harrisburg 2-0 and Carbondale beat Anna Jonesboro 3-1. Charleston won at home beating Centennial 5-0 and will get Champaign Central in the finals after their 2-1 win over Mattoon.
It was regional championship games in 1a yesterday. TTown beat Staunton 4-2 at Altamont, Father McGivney at home beat Maryville Christian 9-0, 6th seed Greenville upset top-seed Hillsboro 5-1 to win the Hillsboro title. Murphysboro beat the hosts at Massac County 1-0. Mater Dei won their 3rd regional in the past 4 years with a 6-0 win over Gibault.
Today, Columbia will take on Marquette in Alton at 6pm.
