Alton�s Mississippi Valley Christian School Boys Soccer Team
Alton�s Mississippi Valley Christian School boys soccer team competed this past weekend in the state tournament for the Illinois Association of Christian Schools in Schaumburg. The Warriors completed the regular season with a disappointing record of 3-6-1. Their strength of schedule this season was difficult but similar to the previous year. MVCS played St. Louis area teams such as Collinsville Christian Academy, Faith Community Christian, St. Louis United, and Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis in addition to a few other more distant schools.
The Warriors traveled to Danville, IL to play their first regional game against First Baptist Christian School. It was end-to-end game with MVCS pulling out the victory on a late goal from distance by David O�Donnell. MVCS then traveled to Schaumburg, IL for the second regional game against Schaumburg Christian which was ranked number one in the Illinois Association of Christian Schools. The Warriors put together their most complete effort of the season and took a 1-0 lead into halftime with the goal being a great individual effort by Derwin Bryan. The second half found the Warriors struggling to keep possession and Schaumburg pounding at the net. Schaumburg pulled out the victory 2-1. This defeat placed MVCS in the second division of the state tournament where they defeated Berean Christian from Rockford 2-0. Derwin Bryan scored both goals for the team from Alton. The Warriors finished the season right where they wanted to be: playing for the championship. Unfortunately, the Warriors came out flat and lost to two-time defending champions Logos Christian from Niles, IL 3-1. Derwin Bryan again scored the goal for the Warriors.
Four seniors were honored in the All-Tournament Team--Derwin Bryan and Spencer Heafner of Godfrey, David O�Donnell of Alton, and Jacob Weir of Florissant. MVCS was also given the Sportsmanship trophy as a testament to their character.
Coach Brent Van Sickle commented on the season by saying, �We struggled at times to put all of the pieces together, but managed to make our 11th straight trip to the state tournament. We really peaked at the right time and found ourselves in a position to bring home the championship. I emphasized over and over to the guys that �they may not be the best, but they should give their very best effort to the glory of God.�
MVCS will look to extend the streak of consecutive trips to state next year, but will have to do so without the leadership of the four seniors: Bryan, Heafner, O�Donnell, and Weir. The team will specifically look to Will Pagan, Marcus Bernhard, and Seth Roberts to build around next year.
For Photos Above- Photo 1 - Coach: Pastor Brent VanSickle
Photo 2 - Team: (Back, L to R) Charlie Yasger, Marcus Bernhard, David O'Donnell, Andrew Fox, Spencer Heafner,Isaac Fitzsimmons, Derwin Bryan, Jacob Weir, Will Pagan
(Front, L to R) Brian Thompson, Chris O'Donnell, Seth Roberts, Christian Roberts, Daniel Weir, Steven Thompson, Gavin Schell, Jonathan Ogden, Joshua Smith
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Alton�s Mississippi Valley Christian School boys soccer team competed this past weekend in the state tournament for the Illinois Association of Christian Schools in Schaumburg. The Warriors completed the regular season with a disappointing record of 3-6-1. Their strength of schedule this season was difficult but similar to the previous year. MVCS played St. Louis area teams such as Collinsville Christian Academy, Faith Community Christian, St. Louis United, and Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis in addition to a few other more distant schools.
