11/08/2008

TOWN AND COUNTRY — Since the Missouri State High School Activities Association went to three classes for boys soccer in 2002, Whitfield has participated in every Class 1 title match.

Until now.

In a showdown of area Class 1 powers Friday afternoon at Whitfield, visiting John Burroughs scored in the game's opening minutes and went on to a 1-0 victory over the Warriors to capture the District 3 championship.

Top-seeded Burroughs, ranked ninth among Post-Dispatch small schools, improved to 16-10-1 and advances to face Missouri Military Academy (17-3) in the quarterfinals Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Troy.

The loss ends a 9-15-1 season for 10th-ranked Whitfield, which won Class 1 titles in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007 and was runner-up in 2005. In 2003 and 2006, Whitfield defeated Burroughs in the title match; last year, the Warriors knocked off the Bombers in the state semifinals.

"It's a shame this game is in districts and not farther along in the tournament, but it's definitely a special win for us,'' Burroughs coach Alan Trzecki said. "Whitfield's a quality program with such a great tradition. Any time you beat them, especially at their place, it's an accomplishment.''

The Bombers, who posted a 2-0 road victory over the Warriors on Sept. 22, scored Friday's only goal just 1 minute, 2 seconds into the match as Mike Ettinger knocked in a cross from fellow senior Wade Martin.

Whitfield appeared to score in the second half when Martin Tobias knocked in a Kory Clawson pass, but the play was ruled offside.

In other Friday district championship games:

ST. DOMINIC 4, ST. CHARLES WEST 0 — Ranked No. 1 among area small schools, the Crusaders (20-6-1) used a workmanlike effort to get by the visiting Warriors for the Class 2 District 4 title.

Mike Yuede, Matt Steiniger and Jesus Rodriguez scored first-half goals, with Zach Walsh scoring early in the second. Sam Cooksey had the shutout.

"I really liked our focus and intensity,'' St. Dominic coach Greg Koeller said. "We started strong, and getting a couple of early goals always helps.''

The Crusaders will take on fourth-ranked Priory (20-4) in quarterfinal action 6 p.m. Thursday at Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton.

"St. Dominic is a veteran team that plays the game intelligently,'' West coach Ray Stahl said.

The Warriors, who upset seventh-ranked Duchesne to reach the title match, finished 13-14.

CAPE GIRARDEAU NOTRE DAME 4, DE SOTO 1 — The two-time defending Class 2 state champs scored three times in the first half and never looked back in the Class 2 District 1 game at Hillsboro. Clint Carder had a second-half goal for the Dragons (14-9-2).



SAXONY LUTHERAN 2, KENNEDY 0 — In a week of upsets, the fifth-ranked Celts fell as second-seeded Saxony Lutheran (19-7) scored a goal in each half to win the Class 1 District 1 title. The host Celts finished 18-6-2.

jlyons@post-dispatch | 636-255-7205