The annual Gold Cup game against Howell took place on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the St. Peters Rec Plex. Howell took home the cup for both Junior Varsity and Varsity. The JV Knights fell 1-3 and Varsity fell 2-12.

“They played their hearts out,” Coach Paul Bruemmer said.

Gold Cup doesn’t count towards the seasons records, but it’s a huge rivalry game meant to kick off the season. It’s unlike other games because the stands are more packed with students, parents, and fans. The teams come out looking to take the win purely because they’re playing against their rivals.  This year Howell just happened to keep slipping goals past us. Bruemmer believes the team played the best they could, and only missed some of the earlier chances they had to score.

“I think we played good,” sophomore Mitch Carlson said, “just the other team had better skilled players.”

The Knights team is a very young team compared to past years. The Knights only having five seniors and four freshman. They were competing against a much older and more skilled team than their own. Freshman Brendan Johnson most impressed Bruemmer because he’s such a little guy yet he’s smart and not afraid to get in there. The Knights goalie, also a freshman, most impressed sophomore Bryan Fuhler because he’s a young guy going up against top players from St. Louis.

“Alot younger than we were last year,” Bruemmer said.

Being so young, it was a rough game for the Knights. This is why the results compared to last years win at Gold Cup, were very disappointing. Howell also gained many more skilled players.

“I didn’t think they would be nearly that good.” Fuhler said.

Bruemmer, Fuhler, and Carlson all agreed that the one thing they could have changed was the amount of penalties they received. Since this game is so intense due to rivalry, there is more action and fighting.

“Hopefully, we get some big crowds out this year, and people don’t think this is an indication of how our season will go,” Bruemmer said, “We’re going to get better.”

The Knights have been practicing since August, and will continue regular practice at the Rec Plex.

“I feel like the more we play and practice we will end up doing good in the regular season,” Carlson said.