Pictured is Waterloo senior goalkeeper Trevor Coplin, who has seven shutouts for the Bulldogs so far this season. (John Spytek photo)

The high school soccer season is already nearing its midway point, and one local team is still undefeated.

Columbia improved to 9-0-1 on the season with a 1-0 victory over rival Gibault last Tuesday, followed by an easy win over Valmeyer on Thursday and a 6-1 win at home over Trinity Catholic on Monday to begin CYC Tournament play in the Walsh Division.

Sam Spivey scored on a free kick late in the first half for the Eagles, and goalie Jon Kuebler made the goal stand up despite a flurry of scoring chances by Gibault in the second half.

Connor Jackson and Noah Jorns scored two goals each in the win over Valmeyer. Riley Hubler added a goal and two assists, and Liam McGonigle, Brennan Van Bruesegen and Jake Bridges added a goal and assist each.

In Monday’s win, Spivey scored three goals and assisted on two others. Hubler added two goals and Jackson added another. The Eagles continued CYC tourney play against Farmington on Tuesday and will play Clayton on Wednesday.

“We have focused on being a disciplined team from a defensive standpoint. A lot of guys are contributing offensively, and we are a very well-balanced team. We came in with a lack of experience on a varsity level, but the guys have really stepped up and proven themselves,” Columbia assistant coach Jamey Bridges said of the team’s hot start.

For Gibault, the loss to Columbia was a disappointment mostly because of the missed scoring opportunities.

“Possession was probably 75 to 25 percent in our favor, and we had all kinds of chances that we just couldn’t seem to finish,” Gibault head coach Matt Reeb said. “We did everything we needed to do to win the game outside of having the last finishing touch.

“But the game is about making the most of your chances and Columbia did that. Out of their two shots on goal, they scored one of them. Credit to them and Spivey, who hit an excellent free kick.”

The Hawks bounced back from the loss to Columbia with a 9-0 win over Freeburg on Thursday. Ryan Gool scored three goals, with Ben Mueth and Ryan Swindle adding two goals each. Jake Hooser and Adam Stearns added two assists apiece.

Gibault (5-5-1) hosts Granite City on Thursday and will play at Metro East Lutheran on Saturday.

“We have some things that we still need to be more efficient at, but it is a work in progress,” Reeb said. “I am a firm believer in challenging ourselves and becoming the best version of ourselves. Specifically, we need to get better defensively. Also, our offense can be very explosive at times but we need more consistency out of them. I am overall pleased but not content with how we have played this season.”

Waterloo is 10-2-1 following a tough loss to Vianney to open Meyer Division play in the 62nd annual Bob Guelker CYC Tournament at Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo.
The Bulldogs fell to the Griffins, 3-1, but dominated much of the play in the second half. Ben Huels scored the lone goal for Waterloo, which played Mehlville on Tuesday to continue tourney play and will battle Lindbergh on Wednesday.

Last week, Waterloo posted wins over Highland and Triad to improve to 5-0 in Mississippi Valley Conference play.

In the 4-2 win against Highland last Tuesday, Ryan Stites scored two goals and Huels and Philip Most added goals.

On Thursday, the ‘Dogs won at Triad for the first time in five years, 4-1. Justin Kohler scored twice and Most and Cole Kolmer added goals.

In other local soccer action, Valmeyer dropped to 2-6 on the season with a 3-2 loss Monday against Carlyle.

Easton Wallace scored two goals for the Pirates, who played at Freeburg on Tuesday. Wallace leads Valmeyer with seven goals scored so far this season.