By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – St. Charles got off on the right foot in district play Thursday evening as it downed host Riverside 3-1.

Cassie Drexel scored two goals and Laura Hane scored another for the Comets (2-8-2, 1-0), who led throughout after Hane’s opening goal at the nine minute mark of the game.

SCC coach Don Peyton said that it was a good start to district play, and that his team is looking at the district schedule as a chance to salvage its season.

“At this point, we have nothing to lose,” he said. “The win is great, yes. Three more would be spectacular.”

Drexel scored her first goal 15 minutes into the second half to make it 2-0.

The Rebels threatened to make things interesting late. Shelby Deslatte scored with nine minutes left in regulation to cut the Comet lead to one.

But four minutes later, Drexel broke loose again to convert her second score of the day, all but icing the game.

Drexel’s on-field leadership has been matched by her efforts off the field, says Payton – that goes also for her senior teammate, Clarissa Guidry.

“We went through a rough patch this season,” said Payton. “Our two seniors have stepped up though, and are letting everyone know what needs to be done.”

He said another boon has been the number of former players who have come back to help the team prepare over the past few weeks.

“I think it speaks a lot to our young players. It really does,” said Peyton. “It shows the younger kids the importance of character. Why are these girls coming back and giving up three hours out their day to help? It’s a family to them.”

Riverside coach Stephen Millet said that he was pleased with how his team moved the ball, but that a couple of defensive breakdowns by the Rebels (6-6-1, 0-2) spelled doom.

“I think we got a little too confident in our attack at times,” Millet said.

“We forgot about our defensive responsibilities. (Drexel) got behind us twice and we paid for it.”