Abbate, Ilski, Lambert-Oswald all score in Comet victory

By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

All season long, the St. Charles Comets have been able to rely on their defense. Thursday was no different.

The Comets recorded their fifth shutout of the season at Hahnville, defeating the Tigers 3-0.

John Abbate, Peter Lambert-Oswald and Nick Woodroof each scored a goal for the Comets (7-4), who bounced back from a 4-1 loss against Rummel on Saturday.

“We collected ourselves after the loss and we made a commitment to excellence going forward,” said St. Charles Coach Rick Woodroof. “In the first half, we really didn’t have it, but in the second we began to play like we practice.”

The game was locked in a 0-0 tie before the Comets made some strategic adjustments in order to free up its playmakers.

“We moved some players around,” said Coach Woodroof. “Just changing some positions made all the difference.”

He said that the Tigers (8-4-2) had set out to eliminate Ilski defensively, but that moving him around opened things up for everyone.

“It made all the difference,” Woodroof said.

St. Çharles controlled the ball for most of the second half, which not only prevented Hahnville from getting on the board, but also allowed the Comets to generate scoring opportunities.

“If you can maintain possession, it always creates chances for you,” said Woodroof. “We really had some great ball movement between our players.”

He also praised the efforts of goalkeeper Corey Crowder, whose play helped the Comets keep yet another opponent off the board.

“He played a monster game,” he said. “He really made some beautiful saves where we needed him to.”

The Comets hosted Rummel (9-1-1) last Saturday and fell 4-1, snapping what was a three game winning streak.

Ilski scored the Comets’ lone goal.

“They’re a very good defensive team,” Woodroof said. “It may have been the most physical high school game that I’ve ever seen played.”