[12/12/01]St. Aloysius freshman Steven Rottman, with help from a stagnant Crystal Springs offense, recorded his first varsity shutout Tuesday night, 11-0.

After arriving 30 minutes late, the Tigers (2-4) scored a goal for the Flashes (7-2), were outshot 57-0 and Rottman’s only touches were either passes from his teammates or kicks that rolled down from midfield into the goalies’ box.

“He was very nervous,” said St. Al coach Shirley Agostinelli, who was starting the freshman in place of injured starting goalie Andy Gough.

Gough, the 2001 Vicksburg Post Player of the Year, injured his knee in practice and will join starters Michael Engle, Vincent Banchetti and Patrick Sadler on the bench with injuries. Michael Strickland, nursing an injury, played most of the game and scored goal.

Beau Theobold had three goals, while Michael Head, John Theobold, Joe Theobold, Jason Bishop, Neal Downey, Brett Bailess and Jett Wells all scored one in the blowout.

“I cleared the bench two or three times,” Agostinelli said. “Then I’d put my starters in and clear the bench again. I subbed so freely, it was unreal.”

The onslaught started less than three minutes in when Beau Theobold hit a corner kick that deflected off Tigers’ defenseman Lendell Brenson into the goal.

The Flashes scored five more times, while attempting 26 shots in the first half. The score could have been worse without the play of Crystal Springs goalie Mario Brown, who made 31 saves several on quality scoring chances.

Even he couldn’t stop the Flashes, who held the ball in the Tigers’ zone all night. St. Al had 26 shots in the second half, scoring five goals.

St. Al will host Callaway on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.