Eureka Ready for SLIAC Tournament Debut at Principia

EUREKA, Ill. – Saturday could have been the end of the road for the Eureka men's soccer team.

And, after two winless seasons, the Red Devils' 2022 campaign of significant improvement would have come to a close as a clear success.

But, coming into the final match of the regular season, first-year head coach Ryan Woodside and his squad knew that if they played up to their potential, they could make program history. With a Spalding loss against No. 2 Greenville and a win or a tie over Principia, the Red Devils could clinch the team's first-ever berth to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Golden Eagles went down first, then the Red Devils held off the Panthers for a 0-0 draw that got the team over the hump and into the tournament field.

"I was really proud of the guys," Woodside said. "I think they've kind of proven all year that when their backs are against the wall, they find a way to scrape out a result, and that was one we needed, for sure."

On Tuesday at 7 p.m., Eureka (5-10-3, 3-8-3, SLIAC) will take on Principia (8-4-5, 6-4-4 SLIAC) again in a SLIAC Tournament quarterfinal match on the Panthers' home pitch.

It will be the Red Devils' third showdown of the year against the year, following Saturday's draw and a 1-0 loss at Principia on Sept. 20. Woodside has seen a lot of growth since the first matchup of the year, but he says the team is still striving to be more consistent.

"There were flashes of the game where I think we played the way that we're capable of, and the way that we want to always play," he said. "And there were times where we fell short of that, and I think that's kind of been the story of the season."

The biggest difference between the first two meetings of the team has been the Red Devils' defense and goalkeeping. Freshman goalkeeper Brayton Strawkas (first in the league with 102 saves; fourth in the league with .739 save percentage) has stepped up and the defense has jelled to a point that Eureka is limiting goals and goal-scoring opportunities. After filling other roles earlier in the season, Lincoln transfers Jordan Pierre and Isaac Noriega have found a home at center back and helped fortify EC's back line.

With a new coach, a lot of new players and many different tactics in the mix, there has been a lot of change within the program this fall.

It took time, Woodside said, for him to understand the strengths and weaknesses of his players and how utilize them in the lineup. There have been plenty of surprises along the way.

One example has been freshman Troy Arries, a player that he thought was going to be a striker, but has ended up being a solid center midfielder who drops back and holds position well.

Another anchor in the midfield has been Lincoln transfer Dan Jueliger, a fiery player who has taken a steadier approach as the season has gone on, and has earned more time on the field as a result.

Forward Khalil Alleyne is second in the SLIAC with nine goals and third in points with 20. Noriega is second in assists with six and fifth in points with 16. Another midfielder, sophomore Jake Edmonson, has had a knack for rising in big moments, putting away two late match-winning goals to cap pivotal conference wins over Blackburn and Fontbonne.

Everyone on the roster and coaching staff, though, has contributed to the team's resurgence.

Principia has also had a turnaround season. Last year, the Panthers were 3-12-1 on the season, 3-10-1 in SLIAC play and seventh in the league. This season, they've gone 8-4-5 and 6-4-4 in league play.

They're the only SLIAC team to knock off No. 1 Webster this year and they've allowed the second-fewest goals on the season (10).

Goalkeeper Torben Rehnert leads all SLIAC goalkeepers in save percentage at .886 on the season, only conceding 12 goals all year and .81 per game.

Offensively, Victor Dos Santo Reis has a team-high five goals and 11 points. Parker Boyce and Christian Tresoldi have each scored three times. Matheus Dos Santos Reis put away the match-winner against Eureka in September.

"I have nothing but respect for coach Jess Semnacher," Woodside said. "I think he's done a really good job with the group this year. They play a really organized style. They hold possession really well. They're really solid everywhere, and they're a really tough team to score on."

Heading into the match, the Red Devils know what they're up against, and what they're capable of achieving. Eureka has had a tendency to be a second-half team this season. It has resulted in some exciting finishes, but Woodside wants to see the team raise its level in the first half and play a complete 90 minutes.

"I've told the guys from the start that I think we're capable of making a run," he said. "We just have to get there, and now we're here.

"We're trying to treat every 45 minutes like it's its own game, and just show up for every minute."