Two weeks ago, St. Joe’s and Prairie met in a regular-season ending battle of conference unbeatens, with the teams playing to a 1-1 tie. Fast forward two weeks, play another 100 minutes (80 minutes regulation, plus 20 minutes of OT), add deciding penalty kicks and you have a Metro Conference team advancing to the final 8 of the Division 4 State Championship tournament.  Unfortunately, it was the Lancers who came up just short, dropping the PK shoot-out, 4-5, after the team played to a 0-0 overtime tie.  The game was played in a constant rain, a cool fall breeze, and before a packed, energetic crowd in what will go down as an instant classic between these Kenosha-Racine rivals.

“It was a heartbreaking loss, but I could not be more proud of the way, frankly, both teams played,” said St. Joe’s coach Gino Alia.  “As cliché as it sounds, these players left it all on the field.  You hate to see it come down to PKs, particularly if you’re the team on the short end.  But the journey getting to that point was fantastic, and that’s what I hope every player remembers.”

Although neither team scored in regulation, both teams were able to create some quality chances with the Lancers having the shot on goal advantage.  St. Joe’s offensive duo of senior Andrew A and freshman Peter V generated a combined 16 shots for the Lancers, with 7 shots on goal.  Prairie senior goalkeeper, Devin S, turned in 7 saves.  Lancers goalkeeper, junior Jack M, had 3 saves.

“All year, we’ve been a great defensive team at every level.  Tonight was no different.”  Leading the St. Joe’s defensive back line were seniors Matt S, Giovanni B and Caiden L, along with sophomore James Z. “Every senior on our roster led by example and set the right tone throughout the season.  As coaches, we couldn’t ask for a better group of kids.”

The PK shoot-out saw both teams send 5 players onto the field to face the opposing team goalkeeper.  Both teams converted their first 4 shots, with the Lancers’ Peter, Andrew, Matt and senior Phil R finding the net.  After the Hawks converted PK #5, the Lancers fifth and final shot sailed just over the crossbar giving Prairie its ticket to advance.   Coach Gino Alia:  “It didn’t end the way we wanted, but that sting will eventually go away and won’t tarnish the success this team accomplished.”

The Lancers finished the 2021 campaign with a 10-3-5 record.