Junior Tyler Finder plays striker for the Northwest soccer team. His godfather is Seckman soccer head coach Tim Bookstaver. On Oct. 12, Finder and Bookstaver were on opposite sides of the field when the Jaguars visited Cedar Hill.
Less than 15 minutes into the game, Finder ambushed the visitors with a hat trick (three goals) and the early barrage led to a Godfather-esque 5-0 victory.
“What is there to say?” Finder said. “They’re one of our top rivals and I had to shut them down early so they didn’t have the spirit to fight back.”
Finder’s dad, Travis, and Bookstaver have been friends since childhood. Bookstaver has coached Finder and attended many important events in his life. Finder doesn’t have to worry about “sleeping with the fishes.” Fredo wasn’t so lucky.
“After the game, I could see he was upset about losing, but he’s been happy since,” Finder said. “He’s been a big mentor of my life.”
Two days later, Northwest improved to 13-6, blitzing Parkway North 8-0 to stretch the Lions’ winning streak to eight games. They have shut out their last four opponents and six during the streak. Finder has scored a goal in eight straight games and has 25 on the year.
Northwest has now had a 20-goal scorer for six years in a row. Logan Christopher registered 24 in 2016, followed by Brandon O’Dell (24) in 2017, Joe Noah (35) in 2018, O’Dell and Noah again in 2019 (25 and 21 respectively) and Hayden Hatley (24) in 2020.
Finder moved from a wing position to striker prior to his goal barrage. His 61 points (including 11 assists) ranks 12th in the St. Louis area in scoring. He has 17 goals and six assists over the eight-game win streak.
“I wouldn’t say the move improved anything,” Finder said. “Once the midfield came together, we could move the ball better. Without the midfield we wouldn’t be anything. Being at the front of the line and knowing where to be, I’m there to tap them in.”
Throughout his three years on the varsity, Finder has battled injuries, especially a slow-healing back problem. But he’s been doing his homework when it comes to self-care.
“I’ve been doing a whole lot of growing there,” he said. “I had a lack of knowledge on how to take care of my body. Before this high school season, I trained harder. Before every game I have a ritual of stretches and what to eat and drink.”
Northwest head coach Dave Willis said right after Finder moved to striker, he scored. Willis has coached the Lions the last 14 seasons, leading them to 192 wins.
“I was like, ‘Maybe we’ve got something here,’” Willis said. “He’s been filling up the net. He creates a lot of chances for himself, but he’s been the benefactor of good midfield play. We’re getting him more touches on both sides of the field. Now that he’s in the middle of the field he’s getting a lot more touches.”
Midfielders Trey Echols, Dylan Mayer, Austin Eubanks and Liam Russell are winning 50-50 balls and turning on the counterattack.
“I feel like we’ve won the midfield battle in the last eight games and they’re starting to show up on the scoreboard, too,” Willis said.
Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Drexler has logged 1,395 minutes with a goals-against average of 0.97 and 10 shutouts (eight solo). Willis already calls him the best goalie he’s ever had. Drexler hasn’t allowed a goal since Sept. 23 to Mehlville. The Panthers (12-1) beat Northwest 1-0 and are the Suburban Conference Red pool champions this year.
“He’s been so good at controlling the pace of the games,” Willis said of his talented keeper. “Our streak started when we played the Parkway schools (South and Central). Their records aren’t flashy, but they’re playing world-beaters every night and Alex was great in the South game. His distribution has been so good. I never have to tell him how to play because he’s so smart.”
The Lions, 2-3 in the conference, close out their Red pool schedule today (Oct. 21), hosting Oakville (10-5-1, 2-3). They wrap up the regular season at Affton Oct. 25 and at home against St. Francis Borgia the next day before beginning play in the Class 4 District 1 tournament at Vianney.
“Oakville will be a big seeding matchup,” Willis said. “Oakville is looking at one of the top three seeds. We’re worthy of that (as well), so that game will be important to decide who’s in those spots.”
Lions lose in softball district
Northwest’s softball team, seeded fifth, lost 11-1 to No. 4 Parkway South in the first round of the Class 5 District 2 tournament on Oct. 12. The Lions finished the season 17-14. The Patriots went on to shut out second-seeded Marquette 4-0 for the championship.
In football, Northwest won its second straight game Friday, topping visiting Ritenour 29-20. Junior running back Chase Viehland led the Lions with 21 carries for 148 yards, surpassing 1,000 yards for the season with 1,098. Drew Nicholson had five receptions for 61 yards and recovered a fumble on defense.
Northwest closes out the regular season Friday at Oakville (3-5) in a Suburban Conference Orange pool game. The Lions begin play in Class 6 District 1 on Oct. 29. They are currently seeded seventh out of eight teams. CBC and Marquette, both 7-1, are the top two seeds in the district.
At the Suburban Conference cross country championships at McNair Park in St. Charles on Saturday, the Northwest boys finished 16th with 484 points, paced by senior Anthony Glassner (75th in 18:34.07). The girls were 14th with 321 points. Junior Ryley Posey (20th, 20:34.72) was the top finisher for the Lions.
Northwest will compete with 17 other schools at Saturday’s Class 5 District 1 meet at Hillsboro. The top four teams and 30 individuals will qualify for the state meet Nov. 6 at Gans Creek Course in Columbia.