Who needs goals?

ALTON - Those city foes were at their best Tuesday when the Redbirds and Explorers renewed their prep soccer rivalry at Moore Park.

Alton and Marquette Catholic were so good that neither team could manufacture a goal in front of a spirited audience. And perhaps a scoreless tie is the way they expected it to finish.

"It was a very exciting game that had a good flow and that made it fun to watch," Alton coach Greg Nasello said. "It wasn't one of those strictly defensive games."

Explorers coach Rob Moginot agreed. He enjoyed the boundless enthusiasm both teams provided.

"It was a great and one of the most exciting games we have been involved in all my years at Marquette," Moginot said.

Alton, now 13-3-3, will go for its first-ever outright Southwestern Conference championship tonight. The Redbirds play at Collinsville. Action is scheduled to start at 6:30.

Marquette, now 10-5-2, is preparing for postseason play. The Explorers met a pair of SWC teams, including Collinsville last weekend, to prepare for their second season. They're looking to go deep into the playoffs.

Neither the Redbirds nor the Explorers would blink or budge in their annual grudge match. Goalies Chelsea Connell and Taylor Bivens of AHS, plus Samantha Chappell of Marquette, turned aside all shots.

"The play was back and forth and -- for the most part -- both teams attacked all the time," Moginot said. "Both keepers made a lot of saves."

Nicki Wisnasky of Marquette hit the post early in the second half and Marie Vaughn also came close to scoring. The Redbirds also had their opportunities, Nasello said.

"We had three good chances in the first half, but their goalie came up with some nice saves," he added.

And they remained in control, preventing any scoring.