LCHS boys soccer wins home opener
Senior Tate Sloan sets a new school record

[September 05, 2017]  Railer Soccer - “Believe the Hype” is the new slogan for the 2017 LCHS Boys Soccer Team and so far the boys are living up to that billing. The team is off to a 5-1-1 start and one particular individual is already setting records.

Senior Tate Sloan set a new school record scoring six goals this past Saturday in a game versus Peoria Manual. The senior gave credit to his teammates for a big part in the accomplishment.

Tate Sloan in action at home versus Decatur MacArthur on Monday evening. Sloan set a new school soccer record on Saturday with 6 goals in a game versus Peoria Manual.

"My team was just setting me up and they kept coming,” said Sloan of Saturday’s record-breaking goals. “We needed ten goals, which is what we got to tie Monmouth Roseville for first place in the tournament. If we would have won the second game of the day we would have won the tournament. But we didn’t win so we ended up getting third in the tournament.”

Sloan went on to praise the team effort it takes to set a record. "Coming down the middle of the field,” said Sloan, "Aleck (Bailey), Cole (Klockenga), AJ (Beard), everyone, they are all getting me the ball.”

On Monday afternoon the Railers opened at home under cloudy skies, but the spirit of the soccer fans was in no way dampened. "We got an early lead, 2-0 and then we just fell in a slump I guess,” said Sloan. "Before we knew it, it was 3-2 at the end of the half and we were trailing.” MacArthur would score quickly into the second half to take a 4-2 lead. "So we came out and put in four,” said Sloan, with the Railers taking the lead.

Lincoln won 6-4 in front of a huge crowd at Handlin Field. Sloan scored two goals in the win. Teammate Aleck Bailey led the way with four goals.

Tate Sloan (2) scored two goals and Aleck Bailey (18) pictured right behind Sloan had four goals in the come from behind win.

Head Coach Tim Stuckey made note of a few things following the 6-4 win Monday night in front of the hometown crowd. “We played well at times, but we were inconsistent at other times,” said Stuckey. “In order to continue to be successful, we need to be more consistent defensively from start to finish. I was pretty irritated at half time, but the team did a great job executing our game plan in the second half. I was particularly pleased with our hustle in the second half, and the fact that we never stopped working. The crowd was great tonight too, and that definitely helped our guys out. It was great to score four straight goals in the second half.”

Lincoln’s season is off to a great start in 2017 with early season wins over Williamsville and Pleasant Plains. The Railers defeated Williamsville 5-2 back on August 21 behind goals from Aleck Bailey (2) Brandon D’Andrea (2) and Tate Sloan (1). The Railers then took down Pleasant Plains 3-2 on August 24 behind goals from Sloan (1) and Bailey (2).

On Friday, September 1 the Railers tied 3-3 with Monmouth in the East Peoria Tourney before thumping Decatur Eisenhower 9-0 in tournament action.

On Saturday, September 2 the Railers crushed Peoria Manual 10-0 at the tournament before falling to East Peoria 2-0 Saturday night. In the game versus Peoria Manual, Sloan set the new school record by scoring six goals. Right behind Sloan was Bailey with the hat trick ~ three goals. Rounding out the scoring was Cole Klockenga with one goal. The Railers took third in the East Peoria Tourney.

Following Monday’s comeback win at Handlin Field the Railers are indeed on a mission and “Believe the Hype” folks. This team can score and defend with the best of them.

The Railers travel to Charleston today for a 4:30 p.m. start. On Thursday the Railers return to Handlin Field for a 4:30 p.m. match with Mattoon. Both of these games will feature the JV match first according to the soccer schedule.

[Teena Lowery]