With the regular season finished, varsity boys’ soccer is preparing for the district tournament Oct. 30. The game determines whether or not the Bruins have a chance to advance to sectionals.
The team’s goal is to reach the championship tournament Friday, Nov. 16 and 17.
Last season the Bruins lost to Smith-Cotton High School 1-3 in the district final. In the 2016-17 school year, the team made it to semifinals, but fell to Rockhurst High School 0-2.
With a 12-5-1 record, the boys have gotten their bearings. Despite a rocky start, junior goalie Cooper Deneke said the Bruins have improved. He is confident in the team’s abilities to do better than last year and win the tournament title.
“I feel good about districts,” Deneke said. “I think we can make a good run this year into state, but first we do have to make it out of districts.”
Head Coach Scott Wittenborn, too, is confident in the team’s preparation for postseason play.
“We have made it our goal every game to try to get better and better,” Wittenborn said. “We have really tried to be more focused on the process of getting better instead of the results.”
Sophomore forward Lucas Godon said the team has improved with each game and, because of its steady progress, has a shot at winning state.
“I feel my performance is good because as a sophomore I have scored seven goals so far on varsity and can play to the level of the older kids,” Godon said. “The team has prepared by working hard all season and being mentally focused on the goal.”
Godon has made many memories this season thanks to his teammates.
“I look up to [senior defender] Freddy Nene the most on the team,” Godon said. “He’s a great leader and does everything humbly.”
Even through losses to St. Louis University High School and Marquette High School, the team has remained strong and united.
“I am confident that this team will continue to work hard and stay together,” Wittenborn said. “It is a terrific group of kids that I know will give everything they have to being the best team possible.”
 
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