Westminster ends Principia's 18-game win streak to reach district final
LADUE — The Westminster Christian Academy boys soccer team turned the tables on Principia in the Class 3 District 3 semifinals Tuesday, coming away with a 2-0 victory.
Principia, seeded second, entered on an 18-game win streak that included a 1-0 win over Westminster on Oct. 1.
But Wildcats coach Dan Legters felt his team could've won in that first meeting and came into Tuesday's rematch with something to prove.
"The last time we played them was our first game without (injured) Austin McCarthy, our center forward,'' Legters explained, noting that the Wildcats are also without injured center midfielder Ben Wooldridge. "We were trying to figure out who we were at that point. But now, with a little time, we've been able to shuffle some people around and adjust to our game plan.
"Our goal today was to put them under pressure and to use diagonal balls to create some opportunities. And that's exactly what we did."
Junior Adriel Monga, who suffered a broken nose in the Oct. 1 loss to Principia and who now plays with a face shield, came up with Tuesday's first goal with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half when he scored on a diving header to finish off a pass from senior Hunter LeMoine.
"In our first game, I caught an elbow and broke my nose, so I guess this gives me a little bit of revenge,'' he said. "I have to wear the shield, but I'm not scared. I'll break my nose again if I have to."
Legters added: "Adriel just seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time."
Down a goal, Principia came on strong throughout the second half. The Panthers' Derek Schauman created a number of dangerous chances off long throw-ins and Principia's Nahum Liborio Salinas nearly tied it midway through the second half, but his shot was tipped over the crossbar by Westminster keeper Jacob Stinebaker.
Westminster created some quality chances of its own on counter-attacks and made one of those pay off with just under 10 minutes to play when Hampton Pfuetze set up sophomore Campbell Nabours for the key insurance goal.
It was the first goal of the season for Nabours, Westminster's backup goalkeeper.
"Campbell knows soccer and he's a guy who's willing to do anything he can to help this team win,'' Legters said.
Stinebacker earned the shutout, getting solid defense support from Landon Cassidy, Blake Musielak, Seth Chapell, Blake Bachelier, Pfuetze and LeMoine.
Westminster, the district's No. 3 seed, dropped a 3-1 decision at Ladue on Oct. 30. But Legters is excited about getting another shot at the Rams. The teams will meet for the district championship at 6 p.m. Thursday at Ladue.
"We're expecting a battle," said Legters, who led the Wildcats to the Class 2 state championship last year.
Principia coach Nigel Marples gave full credit to Westminster, but also lamented his squad's slow start.
'"I don't think we played our best game and Westminster had a lot to do with that,'' he said. "They scored a great goal, but I really liked our response after halftime, playing with a lot more energy and grit.
"As the game went on, we had to push forward and they capitalized. That's soccer,"
Ladue 5, Parkway Central 1
In Tuesday's nightcap, the top-seeded Rams (19-6) took care of the fourth-seeded Colts in a game played in the fog.
Ladue, a state runner-up in 2021 and 2023, received goals from Avi Levin, Keegan Cody, Tommy Edrington in the first half and from Jose Sanchez and Eliot Allen after halftime.
Levi Markwell scored for the Colts (8-11) midway through the opening half, evening the score at 1. But Central responded quickly and went on to its second 5-1 win over Parkway Central this season.
Late in the game, the Colts had a chance to cut into the lead with a penalty kick. But Ladue keeper Seaton Thompson stopped both the initial attempt and the rebound shot.
Ladue has won its last seven games.
