Mineral Area Men’s Soccer Team Finishes Unbeaten in Region Play

The Mineral Area men’s soccer team completed the Region 16 portion of their schedule unbeaten, securing a 3-1 victory against State Fair Community College on August 27, 2025. This result not only showcased their skill on the field but also earned them a first-round bye in the upcoming postseason tournament.

Cooper Falvey opened the scoring in the 34th minute, with an assist from Kobe Bewicke. The Cardinals, who now hold a record of 5-3-5 overall and 3-0-2 in the region, are in position to claim the top seed with home-field advantage if St. Louis loses to State Fair next week.

The team maintained its lead through halftime, thanks in part to goalkeeper Pedro Jarvie, who faced only one shot during that period. The momentum shifted briefly when State Fair equalized just two minutes into the second half, with Mohammad Sami Gooder scoring off a volley from Nathan McCollin.

Despite this setback, the Cardinals regained their advantage in the 69th minute. A corner kick led to an own goal by a State Fair defender, followed by a stunning 25-yard drive from Thomas Reif, which found the top corner of the net, marking his third goal of the season. Winning goalkeeper Charlie Emery played a crucial role, making three saves, including a critical stop while the score was still 2-1.

Back-to-Back Matches Challenge Cardinals

In a separate match against Metropolitan on August 26, 2025, the Cardinals drew 1-1 after a grueling road encounter. Godslove Mensah led the team with five shots and scored his fifth goal of the season in the 17th minute. Metropolitan equalized with a goal from Julius Boech, assisted by Daiggan Gaar.

Starting goalkeeper Travis Eddleman had a standout performance, making nine saves during the first half against a relentless attack. The Cardinals also produced 21 shots and earned six corner kicks, but they could not clinch the win. Pedro Jarvie finished the match with three saves, helping to secure the draw.

Mineral Area will close the regular season against the Missouri Baptist reserves on March 15, 2024, as they aim to build momentum heading into the postseason.

Women’s Soccer Highlights

In women’s soccer, the Mineral Area team defeated State Fair 2-1 on the same day, with goals from Millie Pinkley and Olivia Waller before halftime. The Cardinals dominated the match, registering 30 shots overall, while goalkeeper Tegan Bennett made six crucial saves to preserve the lead.

State Fair struck first, with Ella Smith scoring just three minutes into the match. Pinkley equalized in the 17th minute with an assist from Ophelia Coe, and Waller scored her team-leading ninth goal just before the break, assisted by Maria Ferreira.

However, the Cardinals faced a setback in their match against Metropolitan, where they lost 0-3. Despite creating nine shots, the team struggled to find the back of the net. Alyssa Guadagnano scored a free kick to extend Metropolitan’s lead, while Gianna Artese added an insurance goal.

Cross Country Standouts

In cross country, Clay Whittenburg and Lucas Campbell were recently recognized with weekly honors from the NJCAA for their performances at the Principia North Farm Invitational. Whittenburg finished seventh in the women’s 6K race with a time of 25:05, while teammate Emily Marriott also made the top ten.

The men’s team placed second in the 8K race, trailing only Washington University, which achieved a perfect score of 15. Ben Lorenz established a fast pace, finishing first, while Campbell clocked in at 29:06, earning a 10th place finish for the Cardinals.

As the teams prepare for the Region 16 gathering at Jefferson College in two weeks, their performances continue to build anticipation for a competitive postseason.