St. Clairsville’s Emma Gasber defends against John Glenn’s Alaina Berry during their match Saturday afternoon at Red Devil Stadium. The Little Muskies won, 1-0. Photo by Mike Hughes

NEW CONCORD–St. Clairsville enters a three-game slate this week with a losing record.

That’s far for the norm during head coach Wes Stoner’s tenure at his alma mater. The Red Devils (1-2) certainly have some things to shore up, but Stoner also knows the last two games were just as telling in a positive manner as they were a negative.

Saturday’s result saw Stoner’s club make the trek West along I-70 to New Concord to face John Glenn, the No. 2 team in the Eastern District for Division II,

The result? The Little Muskies held tight in a 1-0 finale, improving to 3-1. This days after a tough but closer than appearing 4-1 loss to Dover. The Crimson Tornadoes were the No. 1 team in the district before falling to powerful Marietta, 4-0.

St. C.’s offensive output needs some fine tuning, and a shot of aggression, but Stoner is impressed with his team’s defensive performance.

“I thought our back four did really well, even with as much speed as they have,” Stoner said. “(Number) 10 is extremely dangerous. We knew she was good, as is Number 20, and when they have two good players in the middle of the field it’s tough to defend, but we took a lot of ballas away from them and kept it in front and Kiya kept it out of the net for the most part.”

Fitting Stoner mention No. 10, Riley Zamensky, and No. 20 , Becca Spohn, as they connect for the game’s loan goal.

Zamensky took the ball in the middle of the field and used her foot skills to weave her way through the St. C. defense. As the defense converged, Zamensky dropped a pass left to a streaking Spohn, who went opposite side past a diving Kyer for the goal.

St. C. had trouble initially attacking the home time and getting good shots on goal. The only legitimate attempt in the first hand came off the strong right foot of Makenna Booth, who blasted a direct kick at Muskies’ keeper Faith Lemon.

While the defense was solid, the midfield and forwards simply weren’t aggressive enough in challenging for loose balls.

“We weren’t aggressive, at all,” Stoner admitted. “We talkeda bout it half a lot. That is a talented team and we can’t let them possess them ball and let them have it and hope they give it back.

“We have to step in front, attack, and we didn’t do that, especially when the ball was in the air from a punt, or goal kick, or direct kick–anything.”

Stressing more aggression at halftime seemed to pay off on both ends of the field. The Red Devils totaled five of their six shot attempts of the half, and a defender picked up the team’s first yellow card of the season.

Next up is a string of games against John Marshall on Monday, Big Red on Wednesday and a road date with Edison on Thursday.

“The girls know I’m never okay with a loss, but 0-0 in the second half, and we only allow one little breakaway, we’re playing well overall,” Stoner said. “We defended well and had our chances in the second half to score. We could have won this game, but we missed little chances and, unfortunately, that’s the way it goes sometimes.”