Duchesne Soccer Team Wins Contest Against Fort Zumwalt North

O'FALLON - At first glance, Duchesne soccer coach Dave Thurmer looked like a wizard Tuesday night. The veteran coach made a bold lineup change switching senior defender Jake Stowers from the back line to the forward position for the first time this season.     

It took all of 13 minutes for the move to pay dividends.     

Stowers scored early and senior keeper Alexi Leos made several key saves to lead the Pioneers to a 3-0 win over Fort Zumwalt North in a Gateway Athletic Conference North Division contest at Robert L. Fisher Stadium.     

But after the contest, the veteran Thurmer, in his 30th year at the helm, would take no credit for the move.     

"It was his idea," he said of Stowers. "Jake said, 'Let's do and see what happens.'"

No matter who gets credit, the change helped Duchesne to its finest performance of the season. The Pioneers, the defending league champs, moved to 3-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play with an impressive all-around showing     

"This was the best effort we've had all year, without question," Thurmer said. "We played with passion, we played with intensity, we played smart."     

All of which means bad news for the rest of the GAC North. Duchesne, which is leaving to join the Archdiocesan Athletic Association at the end of the school year, is ready to go out with a bang. The Pioneers have finished first or second in the league in each of the last seven years.    

That conference domination is important to Stowers.    

"We always get up for games like this," he said. "Everyone worked hard."    

Leos, who picked up his first shutout of the season, agreed with Thurmer's assessment. "They pressed us the whole time, but we were ready," Leos said.    

Leos said the credit for the shutout should go his defenders. The Duchesne back line performed well even without Stowers. Senior Nathan Spiess turned in the back-line play of the match clearing away a shot headed for an empty net with just over 12 minutes remaining. Senior Joe Bredeck also came up big on several occasions.    

Stowers, who tallied his first goal of the campaign, received plenty of help on offense. Senors Jake Stone and Christ Pestka also tallied for the winners.    

Stowers poked in a shot from close range at the 13:43 mark to put the Pioneers up 1-0. The ball bounced around in the box before rolling right onto the foot of Stowers, who one-timed it past North junior keeper Jack Filla.    

"Right place, right time," said Stowers.    

The contest remained 1-0 until the final 15 minutes when the Pioneers scored twice to put the match away. Stone converted on a penalty kick and Pestka scored on a break along with left wing.     North (3-2, 0-1) created five legitimate scoring chances in the middle of the match, but Leos and his mates were equal to the task. Junior Evan Stoll and senior Casey Leadbetter came close for the Panthers. Dylan Donovan and Danny Rodriguez almost converted on a two-on-one break.    

Duchesne controlled play in the first 25 minutes and the final 20. Ryan Thornhill, Kevin Knobbe, Austin Mitchell and Grant Willbrand also shined for the Pioneers.    

"This was as good as we are capable of playing," Thurmer said.

North coach Chris Stockmann saw plenty of positives in defeat. His team came out strong at the outset of the second half. The Panthers did not quit against the perennial conference powerhouse.     

"The effort was there," Stockmann said. "We've got a bunch of kids that work hard."