Rockhurst wins second straight Missouri Class 3 soccer title

FENTON, Mo. | As they stood off to the side of the Anheuser-Busch Center soccer field, the Rockhurst Hawklets celebrated their second consecutive state championship in their own way.

Alex Sweetin was serenaded by his fellow students. Backup goalkeeper Brad Love wiped tears from his eyes. Coach Chris Lawson was soaked to the bone.

The Hawklets got two first-half goals from Jack Russell, their junior striker, and an insurance goal midway through the second half from senior midfielder Felipe Navarro for a 3-0 win over Springfield Glendale in the Class 3 final.

It’s the fourth state championship in Rockhurst history and the second time the program has scored back-to-back state championships. The first set came in 1998 and 1999.

Winning this title was particularly impressive to Lawson, who was without his top returning scorer, senior forward Alex Male, who tore his ACL at the beginning of the season. The team was also without starting forward T.J. Lawless most of the season.

“This team has fought through the most adversity I’ve ever had in 15 years,” Lawson said. “That’s a special group, and I’ve had some great ones.”

Lawson praised his team’s defense as it posted its 14th consecutive shutout. Senior goalkeeper Christian Krueger posted 21 shutouts on the season.

Lawson was especially pleased with how the Hawklets, 27-4, defended the high-powered Glendale attack. Devon Newport, the Saint Louis University recruit who had 32 goals and 20 assists for Glendale, didn’t get a sniff of the goal Saturday night.

“Our defense, and when I say that I mean team defense, our midfielders, our forwards put pressure on them,” he said. “We didn’t give them time to shoot.”

While the Hawklets neutralized Newport, Sweetin, who had 25 goals and 24 assists, did not tally a single point over the weekend.

Instead it was Russell who found the touch. He entered Friday’s semifinal with three goals but doubled that total with one goal Friday and a pair in Saturday’s championship.

“He plays big in big games and he’s played well since his freshman year. I’m really proud of him,” Lawson said. “He’s had a lot of adversity and he’s really come through.”

Russell’s first goal of the night came on a rebound 8 minutes into the game. After Navarro’s shot was saved by Glendale keeper Jordan Pitts, Russell banged home the second chance for a 1-0 lead.

He found the net the second time when Lawless slipped a pass from the right sideline near the top of the box. Russell slid and hit a rocket past Pitts.

“On the field as a freshman and sophomore we’ve demanded a lot from Jack, and he’s really stepped up,” Lawson said.

submitted by DAVID KVIDAHL - 2008-11-22 22:04:02

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