If the players from the St. James High School girls’ soccer team needs an example of toughness and dedication, they need only to look to their own sidelines.

Lady Tiger head coach Casey Smith has proven to be about a tough as they come over the last few days.

It’s the most important time of the season for the Lady Tigers, who are the No. 1 seed for this week’s Missouri Class 1 District 11 Tournament being held at Sullivan.

And Smith is not going to let a little thing like child birth get in the way.

Last week Smith was on the sidelines like she has been all season long – extremely pregnant – for the Lady Tigers’ Senior Night game at the Boys Town soccer field. St. James was battling Four Rivers Conference rival Pacific and ended up suffering just its fourth defeat of the season, a 1-0 loss in double-overtime.

During that game Smith began going into labor, and had to leave the field early.

While in the hospital and prepping for the birth of her child Smith – ever the coach – had her husband, Josh, call in the results from the Pacific game.

“You’re where?” the reporter exclaimed. “And you’re calling in your game score? Now, that’s the kind of coach I like dealing with!”

After reporting the game score Casey and Josh went to work having their baby. And at 12:18 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7 a baby boy – Easton Thomas Smith – was delivered to the couple. Easton – “Like the baseball bat,” Josh says – weighed in at eight pounds, seven ounces and was 21 inches long at birth.

Just days after giving birth Coach Casey Smith was back with her team, directing the Lady Tigers to a 3-0 shutout win over Belle on Monday, May 12 in the first round of the district tournament. Senior Heather Cain had one goal while freshman Amanda White netted two goals for the Lady Tigers, now 14-4. Senior Eden Welch got the shutout in goal.
In other first-round games on Monday Sullivan defeated Fatima in overtime while Laquey beat St. Clair 4-1.

St. James was to play fifth-seeded Sullivan on Tuesday, May 13 in the semifinals. The district title game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14 in Sullivan.

If the Lady Tigers repeat as district champions this week, a game ball probably should be presented to Coach Smith. She has certainly earned it.

And as the Lady Tigers progress in the playoffs, one can bet that little Easton won’t be too far away.

One gets the feeling sports is going to play a big role in his life.