Crimsons take 3-1 road win over Alton

ALTON — What began as a sturdy defensive soccer matchup evolved into a free flowing goal-a-thon of sorts Tuesday at Moore Park.

Jacksonville emerged with the most firepower to singe Alton 3-1 in a nonconference match at Moore Park. The Crimsons improved to 3-2-1. The Redbirds, now 0-1-3, hadn’t scored a goal or allowed one until the Crimsons hit them with three in the second half.

For 40 minutes, it was scoreless. Then it changed in a hurry when the Crimsons and Redbirds tallied three times in less than four minutes.

“It was by far the best we’ve played all season,” longtime Jacksonville coach Steve West said. “We got what we needed. I knew the pace was going to pick up in the second half because we always have competitive games with Alton.”

Garrett Metz, Jake Pennell and Ryan Bentz punched in goals to highlight Jacksonville’s second-half eruption. Alton countered when Eric Kleinschnittger converted a penalty kick at 52:33, but the Crimsons stifled the Redbirds the rest of the way.

Alton coach Greg Nasello lauded the Crimsons for their stellar play, but said a controversial call on Jacksonville’s first goal defined the outcome.

“It changed the whole complexion of the game,” he said. “I thought we were controlling ball possession and had the momentum going our way. Then, they get a direct free kick on a hand-ball call outside of the penalty box against our goalie.”

West said it was the proper call. And Jacksonville made the most of its opportunity. Metz set up Pennell, who rifled a shot past Alton keeper Dean Rhoads at 49:15.

“I thought our third goal was probably bigger than our first one,” West said.

Metz made it 2-0 when he blasted a shot by Rhoads at 51:50. “That was one of those swerving, hard shots that are difficult to stop,” Nasello said.

Kleinschnittger’s successful penalty kick 43 seconds later gave the Redbirds a ray of hope. Then Benz put the finishes touches on things by scoring at 72:33. Matt Foote assisted on the insurance goal.

“We did a good job of coming back and we had our chances,” Nasello said. “Their third goal basically ended the game.”

The loss ended a curious Alton streak of three consecutive scoreless ties to start the season. The Redbirds sailed through 240 minutes without seeing a goal against Columbia, Waterloo or Springfield Southeast.

Jacksonville, meanwhile, is seeking bigger and better things under West’s tutelage. He has guided the Crimsons since 1987.

“The kids responded tonight,” West said Tuesday. “We took advantage of our opportunities because we had only eight shots on goal, but we scored three times. This was our sixth game and the best we’ve played.

“We have only three returning starters, so we are basically in a rebuilding and regrouping mode,” he said. “We are trying to do some different things.”