On Friday, Dec. 9th, the lights of Schroeder Stadium were bright, Concordia’s fight song was playing, and over 40 past and present boys soccer players were ready to battle it out for bragging rights.21 alumni from 11 graduation classes were represented to face off against the current Crusaders (5-5-3 Overall). Alumni from the following grad classes were present: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015-2020, and 2022. Many family members were also in attendance.Specifically, there were four members from Concordia’s only Boys Soccer State Championship team from 2008 which included Head Coach Matt Schleicher who led the team to a 23-0-2 record that season.The actual 90 minutes of play rivaled that of a state playoff game. Concordia’s alumni team included several college players as well as older alumni that were All-State honorees. Concordia’s current team started the season 5-1-1 and has a very talented squad when fully healthy.Jazer Maldonado ’20 and Noah Boggus ’20 (both current players for Schreiner University Mountaineers Men’s Soccer team) caused havoc all night long for the current Crusaders team. Maldonado and Boggus have played together for seven years and work well together making runs and their ball control was crucial to netting the first goal of the game when Boggus centered it to Maldonado to put the alumni up 1-0.Around the 30th minute of the 1st half, Louis Ngo ’22 settled the ball and drilled a shot from 25 yards just over the reach of current Crusaders goalie, Josh H. (Sr.) who stands 6’3”. Ngo’s strike gave the alumni a comfortable 2-0 cushion heading into halftime.Current Crusaders Boys Soccer Head Coach, Diego Copa, made some changes at halftime but also reminded the players to stick with the game plan. The team had been playing in a 3-4-3 formation but switched to a 4-3-3 to provide some more attacking opportunities. The current team features several lightning fast midfielders and strikers and this formation gave them more room to operate.In the first half, the current Crusaders had many chances, but the alumni defense and goalies rose to the challenge each time. Concordia’s current defense pulled an extra defenseman back to help slow down the alumni offense, which worked well as they didn’t score the rest of the game.The current Crusaders got on the board early in the second half by a goal from Conrad S. (Sr.), who curved it in around the outstretched hands of the keeper. The ball hit the post and ricocheted in the net to cut the deficit to 2-1 with the alumni still leading.With 5:59 left on the clock, Isaak P. (Sr.) took a ball out of the air and volleyed it off his right boot that blistered the back of the net to tie the game 2-2. The alumni had a few chances at the end of the game including a missed cross with only 0:23 seconds left, but regulation ended with a 2-2 tie.After a short discussion with the officials and captains, the teams agreed to play two 10-minute golden goal overtime periods and if a tie remained still, there would be penalty kicks.The first 10-minute overtime period ended quickly but both teams did have their chances including a few shots that went wide and a crossbar header by the alumni.Less than 2 minutes into the second overtime period, Isaak P.’s ball pressure against the alumni’s back line, resulted in a misplay and the footrace was on. Isaak’s quickness earned him a breakaway and he slid the ball by the outstretched arms of alumni keeper, Michael Palomaki.The MVP for the current Crusaders was Isaak P. (Sr.) following his two goal performance, including the game winner. After the game, he shared: “We made some changes and switched our formation at half. We needed to have more room to ‘start finishing chances’. We were calm and enjoyed playing against the older guys.”The current Crusaders avenged a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the alumni team from 2021. This game could be the catalyst the team needs as they go into the second half of their season in 2023 following Christmas break. To battle back from a two-goal deficit, playing grown men, many of which are very experienced, and to tighten up on defense, but also score goal after goal after goal to win the game was very impressive. Both teams were very happy to have a competitive match.The unofficial MVP for the alumni team was Mr. Palomaki, who serves as Concordia’s Director of Vocal Music. Palomaki was also an Asst. Soccer Coach for the Crusaders from 2012-2019. Primarily playing keeper for the alumni team, Palomaki made save after save, often diving or punching the ball out of harms way. The current Crusaders would have had at least 6-7 goals if it wasn’t for him.Alumni John B. Brandenburg ’08, one of the captains from the 2008 State Championship team, summarized the evening perfectly: “The entire evening was so much fun. Everything from alumni receiving shirts, to playing a full game with referees, to even having a commentator and photographer – I was very impressed at how official the event was hosted. It was great having so many alumni out to field a team and I can only see that number growing year over year. Most importantly, seeing old friends and teammates, meeting the current team, and socializing with pizza after the game was what we all needed. I really appreciate the Boys Soccer team and the Concordia Alumni Network for hosting this event! We will be back and ready to go next year.”