Steeped in years of tradition, the Monroe County high school girls soccer squads have not disappointed in the early going this spring. 

All three local squads are at .500 or above – with two teams still unbeaten – entering a busy upcoming stretch of games. 

Columbia (7-0-1) tied Father McGivney on a rainy Monday night, 2-2. The Eagles led 2-0 at halftime, only to see their opponents score twice in the second half. Riley Mathews and Sarah Ross netted goals for Columbia. 

On Wednesday, the Eagles won easily over Wood River, 10-0. Maddie Mauch scored three goals and assisted on two others. Kate Adams and Sadie Metz each scored twice.

On Friday, Columbia picked up a 1-0 victory at home over Winnetka New Trier. Ross scored the goal for the Eagles.

Last Thursday, the Eagles hosted local rival Gibault and came away the 5-0 victors. Columbia was only up 1-0 at halftime before pulling away in the second half. 

Columbia dominated time of possession early and Gibault wasn’t able to capitalize on its one breakaway attempt in the first half. In the second half, the Eagles passed the ball a bit better to stretch out the Hawks and eventually wear them down.

Mauch did her thing, netting a hat trick and recording an assist. Mathews and Reese Woelfel scored the other goals for Columbia. See photos from this match by clicking here.

Last Tuesday, the Eagles picked up a 2-0 win over longtime nemesis Marquette. The match was scoreless at halftime before Mauch and Sam Schmuke broke through in the second half. 

Mauch leads the Eagles with 14 goals and nine assists this season. Ross has seven goals and six assists.

Prior to its loss at Columbia, Gibault (3-4) won 4-1 last Wednesday at Roxana. The match was tied 1-1 at halftime. 

Emily Richardson continued her strong start with a hat trick for the Hawks. Aubry Thomas scored the other goal and had an assist.

On Monday, Gibault dropped a 2-1 match in the rain to Belleville East on the Hawks home turf at Oerter Park in Columbia. Thomas scored for the Hawks.

On Thursday, Gibault lost 3-2 at Belleville West.

The Hawks host Civic Memorial on Monday and St. Pius on Tuesday. 

Richardson leads the Hawks in scoring so far this spring with 11 goals and two assists.

Waterloo (5-0-1) won 5-0 over Mater Dei last Tuesday. Liv Colson showed her senior leadership with two goals and an assist. Other goals for the Bulldogs came from Grace Pohl, Kate Pohl and Megan Huebner. 

Waterloo entered Mississippi Valley Conference play this week, traveling Tuesday to Civic Memorial. The ‘Dogs came away with a 5-3 win thanks to a hat trick from Megan Young.

On Thursday, the Bulldogs played at Jerseyville and won 5-0. Young led the way again with two goals and two assists.

On  Monday, Waterloo plays host to Freeburg. 

On April 8, Waterloo welcomes Monroe County rival Columbia to town. 

The leading scorer so far this season for the Bulldogs is Young with seven goals and four assists. Colson has seven goals and two assists.