C2D1: Crusaders prevail over Pirates on penalty kicks

The Saxony Lutheran soccer team celebrates beating Perryville 2-1 in penalty kicks in the opening round of the Class 2 District 1 Tournament on Monday, in Affton, Mo.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

AFFTON — Just like the last time Saxony Lutheran and Perryville met in the Class 2 District 1 Tournament, Monday’s contest came down to penalty kicks.

Brayden Moore scored the final PK to clinch the 2-1 win for Saxony Lutheran, which advances to the C2D1 semifinals on Wednesday at Affton, Mo.

“It always feels good to win a rivalry game,” Moore said.

Luke Eggemeyer scored the game-tying goal in the second half and the first penalty kick to lead the Crusaders.

“No one likes to win in PKs because maybe it’s not like a real win,” Eggemeyer said. “When it’s a win at districts you got to win by any means necessary.

What preceded that moment were grueling overtime periods where both teams were fatigued and desperate to score the winning goal.

“It’s all about our defense, and our defense really locked down tonight,” Crusaders keeper Owen Buchheit said.

“I knew we had to keep out intensively high if we wanted to survive,” Eggemeyer said.

Perryville's Andrew Welk heads a ball in mid-air against Saxony Lutheran in the opening round of the Class 2 District 1 Tournament on Monday, in Affton, Mo.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

The Pirates struck first with a goal by Eli Angle. After that, Buchheit played lockdown defense and protected the net from whatever the Pirates sent his way.

“After the first goal, I knew I just had to lock in, play to my best, and give it my all,” Buchheit said.

Eggemeyer later collided with Perryville goalie Waylon Huber, forcing the sophomore to leave the game to treat a head wound.

Aden Garris came in to defend the net. The backup goalie held his own admirably but when he got a yellow card with 13 minutes to go in the game, he had to exit during a crucial penalty kick. Perryville had no choice but to send a non-goalie to defend against Eggemeyer, which led to the equalizer.

“It was kind of a dream come true,” Eggemeyer said. “They scored within the first five minutes of us playing. Getting that goal really motivated the entire team to stay hungry for that next one.”

Saxony Lutheran went into this season with only two seniors, including Eggemeyer. The young Crusaders went 8-10 during the regular season, marred by a five-game losing streak at the start of October. They started the season 7-5 and are playing similarly to the start rather than the finish.

Saxony Lutheran's Brayden Moore kicks the game-winning penalty kick against Perryville in the opening round of the Class 2 District 1 Tournament on Monday, in Affton, Mo.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

“The one thing I can always count on with these boys is max effort,” Eggemeyer said.

Perryville and Saxony Lutheran might not be traditional rivals but their recent power struggle suggests otherwise.

Both teams entered the tournament with the sole goal of getting back to the final four. Perryville were Class 2 runner-ups in 2021 and Saxony Lutheran finished fourth last year.

Each pathway to the promise land was paved over each other. The Pirates defeated the Crusaders 3-0 in the C2D1 title game in 2021. In 2022, the Crusaders clinched victory on penalty kicks to win 2-1.

Adam Green fights for position against Saxony Lutheran in the opening round of the Class 2 District 1 Tournament on Monday, in Affton, Mo.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

This time the two teams were pitted against each other from the start. Perryville’s season ends with a 13-8 record highlighted by a five-game winning streak entering the playoffs.

Saxony Lutheran will take on the hosting Affton Cougars at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1.