Aces soccer report from Coach Ed Berberich:

The MCHS Soccer Aces recently wrapped up play in the season opening St Anthony Invitational tournament, starting slowly in losing the first game but then finishing up with 3 straight wins to tie for 2nd place on points. The Aces dropped the opening game to Harrisburg 5-0, but bounced back to beat Newton 4-2, St Anthony 3-1 & lastly Robinson 7-0.

Against Harrisburg, we came out pretty timid & looked like what we are: a young team with a new starter at every position on the field. We're replacing a lot of talent & experience from last year after graduating 7 starting seniors & losing another starter. Even the returning 3 starters from last year are all in new positions so we just have to go through the learning process which will take some time. Harrisburg certainly outplayed us, but the good news was that all but 1 of the Bulldog goals could be chalked up to players in new spots making mistakes that they'll hopefully learn to correct. Add in the fact that we were also playing 10 against 11, after one of our players received a red card before the end of the 1st half, & there were some positives to be found in this one. The team immediately showed that ability to learn in the next game, beating a solid Newton team 4-2. Eli Bertram scored 3 goals, Shade Loudermilk scored a goal & got an assist, & Tobi Pauli got an assist. Against host St Anthony, Loudermilk had 2 goals & 1 assist, Bertram had 1 goal & 1 assist, & Landon Lagow had 1 assist. In the last game, against Robinson, Aiden Garwood had 2 goals & 2 assists, Bertram had 1 goal & 2 assists, Lagow, Loudermilk, Pauli & Drake Colbert each scored 1 goal apiece, & Brody English & Conner Adams each had 1 assist. Robert King played in goal for nearly the entire tournament, with he & Corian Rapier contributing in goal for the shutout against Robinson.

Overall, we're pleased with how the guys performed, especially after the rough first match. Everybody seemed to keep their heads up though & came out with positive energy throughout the rest of the games & that allowed us to bounce back & even gave us an opportunity to win the tournament again. After that first game, that isn't something that I would've thought could be within our grasp. We still have a lot to work on, but the guys definitely showed us something with the way they played this past week.

The Aces' record after the tournament stands at 3-1.