Mathenia scores twice in Belleville West 3-0 win over Granite City
After receiving a red card during a loss to Collinsville, Belleville West coach Jason Mathenia was nowhere to be seen on Tuesday when the Maroons took on Granite City.
But Taylor Mathenia was.
Making her dad and a large group of Maroons faithful proud, Mathenia broke up a scoreless tie with 31 minutes left when she scored the first of her two goals and West went on for a 3-0 win in a Southwestern Conference girls soccer game.
Getting few chances in the first half when they outshot by the Warriors 6-1, West (5-3-2) got its center-midfielders more involved which opened up the outside attack. Mathenia’s first goal came from a sharp angle when she was trying to center the ball.
That goal, Mathenia’s fifth of the season, proved to be all the offense would need in the second half. The Warriors Lexi Grote had a pair of chances in the final 25 minutes off of free kicks — one of which hit off the goal post — but West had its way as it got back on track with the key SWC win.
Mathenia then added a second goal with 16:54 left and senior Amelia Coyne added an insurance tally with 8 minutes 30 seconds left for West which was coached by assistants Tony Segobiano and Brad Dietrich on Tuesday.
“Jason (Mathenia) had to sit out after receiving a red card in our last game against Collinsville. But I thought the girls responded very well,’’ Segobiano said. “Granite City is a good, young soccer team which is very well coached. They are going to get better and better as the season goes on and will be a tough team to play by regional tournament time.
“On offense our center midfielders did a good job in the second half and we were able to open the field and attack from the wings. On defense, we just challenged the girls to keep the shutout. This is a good win for these girls.’’
Mathenia takes over
Granite City (3-3-3) had several good chances in the first half. Junior forward Grace Neidhardt has two scoring chances go just wide of the Maroons goal and a shot by freshman midfielder Rian Hutson grazed the cross bar with just under 10 minutes left.
But when the Warriors offense went silent in the final 40 minutes, Taylor Mathenia and the Maroons got going.
With the Maroons in possession of the ball, Mathenia got the ball on the far right side and appeared to send a pass in front of the net. But somehow, the ball rolled into the goal as stunned players looked on.
“I got the ball and I was just really trying to center the ball in front,’’ Mathenia said. “The second goal, the bal came loose and I was able to beat the defender to the ball and get the shot off. I’m just glad they went in.’’
“This is a big win for us. We beat Granite City last year and we knew they would be a good team and that this would be a physical game.’’
Coyne then added her goal seconds after Grote’s free kick skimmed off the goal post.
Dean Criddle: 618-239-2661, @CriddleDean
This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 10:28 PM with the headline "Mathenia scores twice in Belleville West 3-0 win over Granite City."