GRANITE CITY — Thea Dimitroff scored a goal and added an assist Thursday, April 23, 2026, as Edwardsville built a first-half lead and beat Granite City 3-1 in a girls soccer match at Gene Baker Field in Granite City.
Anna Maxim and Reagan Jumper also scored for Edwardsville. Charlee Schwaller scored for Granite City.
Edwardsville has won four straight matches and improved to 7-2-1. Granite City lost its third straight and has won once in its last four matches.
“It was good,” first-year Edwardsville head coach Justin Bernaix said, “and a wild ending. But up until that point, we were creating chances, and moving the ball, we had most of the possession, and didn’t allow many chances, and the goals that we did score were really good. So, definitely pleased.”
Bernaix said the match changed late after a collision.
“Once that incident, or that injury at the end, it kind of took a little life out of the game,” he said. “But credit to Granite, they kind of pushed after that, and got a goal. But still a comfortable win for us, so I’m happy.”
The clash of heads occurred in the 73rd minute as players from both teams went for a header, resulting in “a serious gash on one of the players’ heads,” with both players removed for the remainder of the match.
Edwardsville extended its lead in the 57th minute when Maxim took a feed from Dimitroff, went in on goal, and beat Gartner to the near post for a 2-0 advantage. Dimitroff made it 3-0 eight minutes later, slotting in a through ball.
Granite City got on the board in the 75th minute when Schwaller scored from distance, with the shot deflecting off the far post and into the net to make it 3-1. Edwardsville held the lead the rest of the way.
Bernaix said Edwardsville is focused on conference play and continuing to improve.
“We’re trying to make that last game at O’Fallon mean something,” he said. “So, we’re trying to just, again, take it one game at a time.”
“Our goals are, obviously, trying to win the conference,” Bernaix said, “but, we just want to play well, and keep being the team that’s in control of things, and scoring our chances, and the other parts will fall into place.”
Edwardsville is scheduled to host Chatham Glenwood on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Tiger Stadium, then host Father McGivney Catholic next Wednesday at 6 p.m., and finish the homestand May 5 against Alton in a 6 p.m. kickoff.
