FRONTENAC – Chaminade senior Barrett McLaughlin placed the ball gently on the penalty kick spot and tried not to think too deeply.
McLaughlin, who converted a PK opportunity earlier in the game, stood at the spot once again as the STL Champions League semifinal between Chaminade and Francis Howell Central advanced to penalty kicks.
McLaughlin blasted his earlier PK low and to the right. Would the goalkeeper expect him to go the same way or the opposite direction? Should he switch it up or stay with what worked?
Those thoughts never entered his mind.
“Usually when I do that, I get in my own head, so I just picked my place and struck it with confidence,” he said.
McLaughlin smashed his PK inside the opposite post, part of perfect penalty kick session for the Red Devils, as Chaminade defeated Francis Howell Central 2-1 (4-2 in PKs) Wednesday to advance to the championship match of the 3rd annual STL Champions League.
Chaminade (16-0-3), which raised its unbeaten streak to 19 games, advanced to play Oakville (14-2) in the STL Champions League final at 7 p.m. Saturday at Creve Coeur Soccer Complex in Maryland Heights.
Oakville defeated Fort Zumwalt West 2-1 in overtime in the other semifinal.
In front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Coach Don Ohlms Field, Chaminade came out flying in the opening 15 minutes. The Red Devils used their exceptional quickness with the ball and sprinting speed without it to give Francis Howell Central no alternative but to foul.
At times, it appeared the Spartans (13-2-1) were playing the wrong sport of football, and they were eventually called for a foul inside the penalty area. McLaughlin drilled home the PK attempt and Chaminade led 1-0.
The PK appeared to do as much good for Francis Howell Central as it did for Chaminade, as the Spartans settled their nerves and their bodies and settled into the game.
“Hats off to (Chaminade). They came out on fire the first 15 minutes, and it took us a while to get comfortable, but after the PK we were able to settle in and play with more composure,” Francis Howell Central coach Eddie Mulholland said.
Late in the first half, the Spartans were rewarded for that composure when senior Chase Radeke corralled a pass in the box and buried a right-footed blast to tie the game at 1.
Radeke nearly helped Howell Central take the lead midway through the second half when his 50-yard free kick was headed goalward by senior Dominic Hartwell and required a brilliant right hand save by Chaminade keeper Palmer Masson.
Moments later, junior Tyler O’Brien accepted a through ball and fired a shot that was denied by a sprawling Masson.
“As the game went, I thought we were stronger and stronger and created opportunities,” Mulholland said. “At times, I thought we were deserving of winning in regulation, but we couldn’t find the back of the net.”
Chaminade showed its technical excellence throughout the second half and during the overtime sessions. Not only did the Red Devils show the ability to zoom past defenders with speed, but they also displayed the patience of side-to-side passing and the creativity of dangerous buildups.
Twice, a patient Red Devils’ possession resulted in a glorious scoring chance, including a point-blank shot by sophomore Luke Snow in overtime that was rejected by the Superman dive of Howell Central keeper Logan Derry.
“We had good composure and that really helped,” McLaughlin said.
That composure was evident during the PK session as well.
Chaminade junior Ray Fusz led it off by launching an unsavable shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and angled into the net. McLaughlin followed with a low screamer that snuck inside the left post.
“I like going second. It takes the pressure off. It’s free flowing,” McLaughlin said.
That flow continued as Hunter Daly and Snow buried shots to give Chaminade a 4-for-4 showing during PKs. A sliding save by Masson on an attempt by Howell Central junior Tyler O’Brien secured the Red Devils victory and kept their unbeaten streak alive.
“We have that good, brother bond,” McLaughlin said. “We’re all fighting for each other and that’s a big part of our success this season.”
For a photo gallery from this game, click the link below: