The Wright City Wildcats bounced back from a tough season opening loss to roll off three wins in a row, including wins over Warrenton and Elsberry to win the Wright City tournament.
Wright City (3-1) beat Warrenton 3-1 and Elsberry 2-1 Saturday to clinch the tournament title. They followed up their wins with a 5-0 win over Elsberry Monday.
Wright City coach Josh Albregts said the players’ stamina, heart, grit and determination were keys to winning the tournament. He noted they played both Warrenton and Elsberry in the heat Saturday. Albregts thinks the tournament win was something the players, coaching staff and school needed.
“In the second half of the second game against Elsberry, we ran into some player cramping issues,” Albregts said. “In the end though, the players’ hard work and conditioning in practice put us over the top for the win. This was a tournament win where the kids earned it and the coaching staff just guided them.”
The Wildcats started the day with a competitive 3-1 win over county foe Warrenton. Wright City jumped out to an early 1-0 halftime lead. Austin Kirn converted on a free kick to score the only first half goal with just over 10 minutes left in the half.
“The thing I always tell the boys is we need to set the tone,” Albregts said. “We set the pace. We don’t play another team’s pace or anything like that. So literally, it’s going to be a fight coming out of the gate. So we want to be the first one to attack and push and we got lucky on one of the goals but it is what it is. In the end, it ends up in a win with us.”
Warrenton (3-2) responded with a goal with just under 19 minutes left in the second half to tie the game. Warrenton coach John Schulte said the Warriors’ quality of play improved in the second half. The Warriors were not finding teammates and were late getting into spots in the first half. Schulte said the team played “phenomenal” in the second half.
“We were doing all the things right that we needed to,” Schulte said. “We were turning and settling. Controlling the ball. Finding people. We were in their end and getting around the goal. Hitting chips in. Getting balls on goal. We just unfortunately couldn’t beat their keeper.”
Less than six minutes after Warrenton tied the score, Wright City senior Ricardo Uribe scored a goal to put Wright City back on top. Uribe scored another goal with just over seven minutes left to give Wright City a 3-1 lead.
“ It was a good win,” Uribe said. “It was tough. My teammates helping me out. It’s a captain’s job to encourage everybody to play, learn and we did it. We got that 3-1 win and I like it because it’s a rivalry.”
Wright City is slated to play at St. Charles West today. Warrenton is scheduled to host St. Charles West Thursday.