The temperature was in the mid-30’s with some strong winds as well when Chaminade traveled to Metro Catholic Conference rival DeSmet to take on the Spartans in the Class 4 District 5 boys soccer championship.  It was a great game, but the Red Devils ultimately fell short, losing 2-1 to the Spartans.

Despite the cold there was a huge crowd on hand at DeSmet.  Although Chaminade had beaten De Smet in penalty kicks on September 26th at DeSmet despite playing a man down, it was clear from the start of the game that DeSmet was warmed up and ready to go. Just 69 seconds into the game, Chaminade’s left back Cam Lay was called for an unfortunate hand ball 5 yards outside the box.  Junior midfielder Carson Wilhelm buried a perfect shot into top corner that the Red Devil keeper Jack Carrow got a hand on but could not stop.

DeSmet kept the pressure on. In the 24th minute, DeSmet senior midfielder, Henry Lawlor headed in an extremely long throw in that was inexcusably not well defended by the Red Devils. Again, Carrow got a hand on the ball, but could not come up with the save.  Chaminade did have some pressure on DeSmet and forced some corner kicks near the end on the first half. They also graved the goal post, but the score at half time was 2-0.

With their backs against the wall, Chaminade stepped up the pressure in the second half. Senior forward and leading scorer, Arthur DeCampos notched a terrific goal in the 51st minute to bring the score to 2-1. Chaminade kept up the pressure and got a break when one of the Spartans got a red card with 21 minutes and 19 seconds left in the game. Try as they might, the Red Devil could not crack the solid De Smet defense and the game ended 2-1.

“The Spartans had a much taller team and they seemed to play more physical them us. It is the same old story; our coaches select players that are technically sound but not very tough. They look good in September, but they are outmuscled in November,” one Red Devil parent said.

DeSmet (14-4-1) advanced to play host to Pattonville (17-8) in the sectional round.

Unfortunately, De Smet has seemed to dominate the Red Devils in sports over the last year. The Spartans beat the Red Devils in football, baseball, hockey, and they split games with them in basketball and soccer Chaminade finished the season 14-12. It was a disappointing end to the season for a talented team that started out the season 9-3 and won the Metro Catholic conference title in the regular season.

The team was riddled with injuries at mid-season and never recovered. “It is really disappointing,” said one of the Red Devil bench players who did not want to be named.