MEC title, Sion showdown highlight closing stretch

By Scott Tittrington

SCOTT TITTRINGTON/The Smithville Herald
Smithville High sophomore Beth Hammons puts the ball into play during a Monday, May 5 game against St. Pius X.

The Smithville High girls soccer team gave itself some definite positives to build on during the penultimate week of the 2008 regular season.

The Warriors started by spanking St. Joseph Benton 8-1 on April 29, finishing off a perfect run through the Midland Empire Conference and earning a fourth consecutive MEC title.

They ended it with a 10-0 whitewash of Excelsior Springs on Friday, May 2, knocking off the lone Class 1 District 13 opponent on their regular-season schedule this spring.

However, it’s what took place between those two dominant efforts that could potentially pay the biggest dividends for Smithville now that the postseason beckons.

The Warriors gave perennial power Notre Dame de Sion — last season’s Class 1 state runner-up — a showdown worthy of a later date on the calendar, playing to a 0-0 tie that was ultimately decided in the Lions’ favor on penalty kicks.

If ever a loss was a good thing, that was it.

“We played really well,” said Smithville coach Jon Reed. “I think that brings confidence, that we played with one of the best teams in the city and the state.

“Even though it was a loss, I think the girls are pretty confident and are like, hey, we are pretty good.”

Sports editor Scott Tittrington can be reached at 389-6632 or at scotttittrington@npgco.com.