Soccer & Volleyball Seniors Play Last Home Games

May 9, 2011 – Friday afternoon was an eventful and exciting day for North Technical athletics, as the Lady Golden Eagles Soccer team and the Boy Eagles Volleyball team simultaneously played their final home games of the season. For the graduating seniors on both squads, it would not only be their final home game in an Eagle uniform, but their last opportunity to be triumphant on their home turf.
          On the North Technical field, the Lady Golden Eagles battled the feisty Riverview Garden Rams who were looking to upset the Eagles in their final home game. In the first half, the Rams seem to control and dictate the tempo and flow of the game with aggressive play, causing senior goalie Audrey Christopher to make numerous saves at the net. But the Rams would not be denied, eventually scoring first to take a 1-0 lead. Although junior Hyleen Molina scored to help the Lady Eagles battle back to a 1-1 tie, it didn’t take long for the Rams to roar back putting the Eagles in a 2-1 deficit at the half. Coach Hanneken used the half to motivate his team to play more aggressively for control of the ball and ultimately the tempo of the game. For the outgoing seniors and team captains, it was their final opportunity to make an impact on their home field, and they did not disappoint. In the second half, the Lady Eagles heeded the call of their coach and responded by changing the tempo of the game in their favor. Although the Rams would score one more time, the Lady Eagles kept Rams goalie Bria Taylor much busier than they had in the first half as Hyleen Molina, Tranee Williams, and Chelsea Minor (penalty kick) helped the Eagles score three goals in the second half to edge Riverview Gardens by a score of 4-3. The comeback win gave the Lady Eagles a 5-5-1 record, but more importantly, handed seniors Audrey Christopher (8), Malyssa Jones (13), Chelsea Minor (4), Alecia Morris (11), Cara Patterson (17), Toni Shumpert (15), and Tranee Williams (3) a victory in their final home game. Each senior received a card and a special game ball signed by all team members. The Lady Eagles have three games left on their schedule, including games against Hazelwood East, McCluer S-Berkeley, and a tough Lutheran North squad.
          On the other side of the North Technical campus, the Boy Eagles Volleyball team was in a closely contested match against the University City Lions. The U-City Lions came out strong and secured the first match. But the Eagles, determined to make their senior night victorious, took the second match, setting up what would be a very thrilling third and final match for the game. In the third, the teams battled back and forth, serving, digging, passing, setting, and spiking to a 23-23 tie score, and bringing the Eagles just two points from a senior night victory. But it was the Lions who rallied for two points and the game (2-1), putting a damper on the senior’s attempt to go out on a winning note. Nevertheless, the Eagles provided an exciting contest for their fans that came out on senior night to cheer on the squad and the outgoing senior class of Jordan McBride, Benard Reed, Brian Franz, Deavin Bowers, Jonathan Morris, Michael Franz, and Donovan Thornton. The team now has 5 games left on its schedule including matches against Granite City, Parkway North, Webster Groves, DuBourg, and St. Mary's. Webster Groves, which currently boasts an impressive 22-3 record, may be North Technical’s most formidable opponent it as faced all year.
          As the athletic season draws closer to an end, we wish to thank all the athletes and the coaches for their hard work and dedication which gave their North Technical fans much to cheer about.  For the departing seniors, may the efforts both on the field, on the court, and in the classroom translate to success in the years following graduation. Good luck to the athletes of the 2011 graduating senior class.