[11/21/02]The look on Joe Theobald’s face as his shots bounced off the goal bars or sailed between the uprights of St. Aloysius’ football goal posts spoke volumes for the season thus far frustration.

The Flashes had enough in their tanks to beat McComb 3-1 Wednesday, but the players admit the play was sloppy and head coach Carlos Lee can only shake his head as his young team, with only three starters from last year’s team on the field, struggled to find their bearing.

“I thought we’d play better in our third game, I thought they would have settled down by now. But we are babies, just so young, and we still need to grow,” Lee said. “I thought with us being at home they would step it up, but I’m glad we got the win.”

The signs of growing pains were apparent in the Flashes game against Brookhaven Tuesday, where it took a Greg Smith goal in the final minutes to secure a tie.

The Flashes repeated the slow start against McComb, failing to get a shot on goal until six minutes into the game.

On the other side of the field, the Tigers swarmed all over goalie Andy Gough before taking a 1-0 lead on what appeared to be an offsides play.

The Flashes’ defense waited for a whistle and the Tigers charged forward on the breakaway.

Midway through the first half, Theobald found a seam to send a bullet-shot toward the Tigers’ goal. The shot deflected off the goalie and sophomore Daniel Edney tied the game at one apiece with a shot from the left corner.

Again, Theobald set up another score with a shot that dribbled off the goalie’s hands as Adam Fulcher swept through the box to put St. Al on top 2-1 before the half.

And after 13 shots, Theobald finally reached paydirt with 22 seconds remaining for the win.