The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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November 15, 2012

Carthage soccer eyes trip to finals

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer

The Carthage High School soccer team hopes to make some Tiger history this weekend in the MSHSAA Class 2 playoffs.

First, of course, the Tigers (21-8) want to win today’s 1 p.m. semifinal match against St. Louis Lutheran South (22-5-1) at Blue Springs High School.

A win would be a first for Tigers who are making their second trip to the semifinals. They placed fourth in 2004 in Class 2 in their previous appearance.

Today’s 11 a.m. semifinal in Class 2 is St. Louis St. Dominic (20-6) vs. Smithville (23-3).

Saturday’s noon final will be held at Blue Springs South High School. Third place will be decided at 10 a.m. at Blue Springs.

Seventh-ranked Lutheran South, a three-time runner-up in soccer, reached the semifinals by beating St. Mary’s 2-1 and Windsor Imperial 5-2. No. 9 Carthage stopped Willard 5-0 and fourth-ranked Rolla 2-0.

Carthage, coached by Jacob Osborne, left around noon Thursday for Blue Springs. The Tigers were scheduled to practice at 5:30 p.m. at BSHS.

“Lutheran South (coached by Jerry Amsler) is similar to Rolla,” Osborne said. ”They’re very tall overall and they like to rely on free kicks.

“They (the Lancers) have an outstanding striker (Zach Jones, 28 goals, 10 assists) and they will work the ball through him a lot of the time,” Osborne said.

“I believe we’ve peaked at the right time,” Osborne said. “We’ve been playing at our best since the start of the district tournament. We’re healthy, too.”

Osborne, who’s assisted by Caleb Bayless and Butch Loveall, said probable starters for the Tigers include junior Jose Alberto as goalie.

Defenders include senior Misael Maturino, junior Miguel Henriquez, junior Mario Zuniga and sophomore Jesse Alvarado.

Midfielders are junior Henry Oxlaj, junior Jones Smith, senior Erik Estrada and senior Victor Lopez.

Forwards are senior Ismael Serratos and sophomore Victor Marin.

Brothers Serratos, who’s nearing 100 career goals, Victor Marin and freshman Hector Marin lead the Tigers in goals with 33, 18 and 10, respectively.

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