The strategy worked even better than hoped.
The Jefferson City Jays switched things up offensively at the start of Tuesday night's action against the Rock Bridge Bruins at the 179 Soccer Park, beginning the game by starting their forwards out near the the opposing wide backs.
"I think that kind of had them confused a little bit," Jays coach Eddie Horn said.
Confused enough at least as the Jays scored twice in the opening 10 minutes on their way to a 2-0 victory against the Bruins.
"We were able to get some things done," Horn said. "The kids responded to it very well."
The first goal came five minutes into play. Romando Thomas worked his way down the line and fed a wide-open Jordan Carron in front of the net. Carron buried the shot and it was 1-0.
Five minutes later, the Jays doubled their lead. Colton Acock worked the ball to Seth Stegeman, whose shot was stopped. But Erich Sporleder was there to bang the rebound off a Bruin defender and into the net.
"That obviously was a big goal for us," Horn said.
Things started to settle in after that.
"I think we started to play a little tentatively after getting the second goal," Horn said. "We were knocking the ball around pretty decently in that first 10 minutes, we got things going. But then they started coming at us a little bit, we got a little uncomfortable."
The Bruins ended the half with a 7-4 edge in shots, with both teams having three on net.
The second half was more defensive, as the teams combined for just four shots. But Jays keeper Zach Brooks made a great save midway through the half to keep the Bruins off the board.
"When Zach needed to make a play, he came up big," Horn said.
It was the 11th shutout of the season for the Jays.
"We did the things we had to do to win the game," Horn said.
The Jays (10-7-3) and Bruins (12-6-1) will likely be the No. 2 and 3 seeds in the Class 4 District 11 Tournament behind Hickman in the event at Rock Bridge. Battle is the other team in the four-team district.
"In the big picture, this isn't the game that really matters," Horn said. "That one will come in a couple of weeks."
The district seed meeting is Friday.
Jefferson City will host Southern Boone, ranked No. 2 in Class 2, on Thursday.
In Tuesday's JV game, the Jays blanked the Bruins 2-0. Max Allen and Chad Hamler scored the goals for Jefferson City (11-1), with Brendan Drury and Tanner Haugen getting assists.
Nick Ryan was in goal in the shutout, the 10th of the season for the team.
III
On Monday night, the Jays' JV team defeated the Fatima varsity 3-2 in overtime.
Peter Kuster, Tucker Jett and Hamler had goals for the Jays. Allen was credited with an assist.