Soccer wins back-to-back District championships

Gallery – 65 Photos

The Pattonville boys’ soccer team claimed the district championship for the second straight year. Last year was the first time since 1997 that the Pirates took the District title.

Pattonville varsity boys (9-10-2) traveled to Florissant Recreational Center to play in the Class 4 District 3 finals against Hazelwood West (16-5-2). The Pirates advanced to the finals after beating Hazelwood Central 5-1 on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

The Pirates lost to Hazelwood West 3-0 earlier in the season and were seeking redemption in this win-or-g0-home tournament game.

They did.

On Oct. 26, the Pirates claimed their district championship victory.

The first goal of the game was left-footed in by senior Byron Reyes in the 32nd minute. The Wildcats tied the game early in the second half. With the score tied at the end of regulation, the playoff game was forced to go into overtime.

Just 2 minutes into overtime, senior Eric Barcenas assisted the ball to junior Louie Perez who scored the game-winning goal in overtime which led the Pirates to win 2-1 in the Class 4 District 3 Finals.

“It felt great to score the game winner for us,” Perez said. “I really wanted to win my first District title and be able to help last year’s varsity team win their second and I did.”

Some of the players were nervous about playing overtime because a sudden death golden goal rule is applied, with the game ending as soon as an overtime goal is scored.

“I was worried about going into overtime but I had a good feeling someone was going to score one for the team,” sophomore Nick Derleth said. “I was super excited on winning, especially since it’s my second year in a row. I think we won because throughout the season we have really grown on working together as a team and all of our hearts were in it.”

The Pirates will play Francis Howell Central next in the Sectional round of the MSHSAA tournament. Pattonville will host the game on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m.