Ladue might have left with a 3-1 win on September 3, but Ritenour left with more.

Ritenour’s efforts did not go unnoticed, as they showed substantial improvement since last year’s match.

“My team has been performing very well,”  defender Jonathan Bishop said. “Our passing and our team work is close to excellent. Our defense is doing really well. We are really stepping it up from last year.”

In the first half, Ladue scored one goal by penalty kick. In the second half, Ladue proceeded to score two more goals.

Bishop would add Ritenour’s only goal of the night with minutes left in the game.

“We stayed in the game,” Ritenour captain Gibran Torres said. “We didn’t give up. We could have said forget this game, but my guys kept fighting.”

Ladue controlled the ball most of the first half, connecting passes and making plays past Ritenour’s defensive line. Ladue played fast-paced and kept their starters on the field the entire game.

“I don’t think the game went the way we wanted,” Torres said. “We had a bad start. Our minds weren’t in the game.”

Ritenour controlled the ball more in the second half. The team attacked Ladue’s keeper, resulting in a goal.

“I think they worked hard,” Ritenour Coach Mike Murray said. “I don’t fault our effort. Our effort was good, we just needed to play smarter and if we do that, we’ll be an even better team.”