PEARL — The St. Aloysius Flashes occasionally slid sideways and took a few falls while trying to maneuver around a muddy pitch Thursday afternoon.

That was about the only way they were going to slip up against Park Place Christian.

Ryan Theriot scored six goals and assisted on another, and the Flashes clinched a berth in the MAIS Class AAA boys soccer playoffs by routing Park Place 11-0.

“We were moving the ball, talking. That’s probably the best game we’ve played. I’m impressed with how we played today,” Theriot said. “Our last couple of practices have been terrible. Then yesterday we had a relaxed practice, just shooting and playing around, and we had good chemistry today.”

Reed Bourne added two goals and an assist for the Flashes (11-5, 6-2 District 3-AAA), while Jack Dowe had a goal and three assists. Benjamin Lobred scored on a penalty kick and Kieran Theriot had a goal and an assist.

Ryan Theriot’s six-pack of goals gave him 45 for the season. He tallied four in the first half as St. Al raced out to a 7-0 lead at halftime.

“He’s amazing. What he’s done, what he can do with that ball, is amazing,” St. Al coach Scott Mathis said of Ryan Theriot.

The Flashes scored two goals in the 11th and 12th minutes to snap a scoreless tie, and then three in a five-minute span from the 20th through the 25th minutes to blow it open.

St. Al outshot Park Place 19-1 in the first half, and 25-2 for the game.

“You watch how they were playing, they were communicating from the back to the front. Everyone is communicating. When you have that and they’re in sync, they can beat anybody. They’re that good,” Mathis said. “This is the way it’s been the last few games. Practicing, not as well. Playing in the games, they’re doing what is necessary.”

The dominating performance gave the Flashes a confidence boost that they’ll have to ride for a while. They won’t play again until Feb. 19, when they go on the road to face Adams County Christian School in the first round of the playoffs.

“That’s the tough part, because when we got back from Christmas break we slumped off a little bit. Hopefully we’ll keep practicing and don’t lose any momentum we got from this game,” Ryan Theriot said.

Mathis said the long break between games could be beneficial. His team has played most of the past month without its usual lineup because of a string of illnesses and absences.

“We’ll be able to rest and be able to do some preparing and whatever we need to do,” Mathis said. “I tried to get a couple of other games that were canceled to come back, but they didn’t want to. I could have played Prep or (Jackson Academy), but didn’t want to get anybody hurt. I don’t need anybody hurt right now. I don’t have anybody on the bench right now.