A week into the school year and the boys soccer team (1-1) was already facing one of its fiercest competitors, Rockhurst High School.  As the only Missouri team to beat RBHS before post season last year, the Hawklets posed a threat to the Bruins, who knew a win Saturday, Aug. 25, wasn’t going to be easy.
After a tense first half with Rockhurst leading 1-0, the Bruins tied the game 1-1 with less than 10 minutes left in the second half, pushing the match into overtime. The overtime went scoreless, despite the Rockhurst Hawklet’s  home field advantage.
“It’s always just another aspect when you’re playing [an] away [game],” junior Jacob Kovarik said. “But you go 100 percent every second you’re on the field no matter who the opponent.”
The final score of the penalty kicks came to be 4-5, with a total score of 2-1. junior Greg Kelly, goalie, blocked a kick from Rockhurst while the Bruins were successful in all their attempts. Senior Jordan Reiske scored the last PK for the Bruins, ensuring the Bruin win.
The sweetness of victory was accompanied with a bit of déjà vu for some of the players – a situation that mirrored a bitter match on a windy November evening.
“We were in this exact same position last year [at the semi-final game], but [this time] we had the most heart,” Reiske said. “We finished when we needed to.”
Today marked a great beginning for the boys, showcasing that the Bruin’s team spirit on the field is a valuable strength.
“We came together as a team and we were very confident,” Reiske said. “We out played them in every aspect of the game. Truly, it all came down to heart.”
By Afsah Khan
The next game for the boys’ soccer team is a home game against Rolla Tuesday, Aug. 28. Visit Bearing News for a wrap up of the game.