Published on September 14, 2026 7:21 am
Last Updated on September 14, 2026 7:22 am
ALTAMONT — Altamont High School played host to Effingham in soccer action Saturday and claimed a 1-0 victory.
“It was an extreme scorcher to start the game, with the heat just beating down on the field,” said Altamont Coach Eric Morales. “Both teams came out right away pushing the ball down the middle through each others midfield, trying to gain the best advantage to start.
“With smooth precision we moved the ball down the field, and side-to-side patiently looking for our opportunities. We had some wonderful attempts missing wide a few times and or going over. The Effingham keeper also had some nice saves as well.
“Around the 26th minute, Effingham missed a goal kick and Preston Kroening was able to receive the ball and send an ice pass through to Ashton Buchanan who was able to find the back of the net taking us up 1-0 into the half.
“Lots of water was drunk at the halftime span as it continued to boil on the field. The second half, both teams came out very broke down from the heat, Effingham was able to muster a nice 5-6 minute run at our defense, but we were able to hold it together.
“After 20 minutes of play, we gained some life back in our step and started bringing it back across the field to our keeper trying to break through one more time.
“Brady Wilson Effingham’s keeper held his own and was able to make some nice snags. Mason Suey, Hayden Bridges, and Nate Lurkins held a strong iron curtain in the back for us with our big man Eli Barnes holding another clean sheet.
“We held on to the win moving into next week at 7-2 on the season and taking it back on the road to play Trenton Wesclin Thursday night and Greenville Saturday morning.”
Altamont and Effingham played to a 0-0 tie in junior varsity.
At Decatur
Effingham St. Anthony traveled to Decatur St. Teresa and fell to the homestanders by a 2-0 count Saturday.
“We continue to miss some players due to injury, but we have others stepping up and played well,” said St. Anthony Coach Martin Reyes. “St. Teresa scored twice early but after an adjustment, we were able to set our offside traps and create many opportunities.
“We are very proud of our players and the hard work they put in today.”
At Teutopolis
Teutopolis played host to Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond and fell to the visitors by a 3-2 count Saturday.
ALAH scored twice in the first half, at the 5:44 mark and again at 2:30.
ALAH then tallied a third goal in the second halt at the 31:27 mark for a 3-0 lead.
But T-town came back with a goal at 25:35 by Simon Lee and again at the 8:50 mark with a goal by Gus Niemerg.
Isaiah Lee had six keeper saves. T-town took 19 shots, 12 on goal.
In the junior varsity match, T-town was an 8-1 winner.
Goals were scored by Sullivan Donsbach (19:30 and 16:50), Josh Pruemer (24:48), Brock Witges (16:02), Mark Probst (9:58), Colt Belford (7:38) and Zach Ordner (:05).
T-town had 20 shots, 11 on goal. Dalton Koester had one keeper save.