The weather wasn’t the only thing cold during the first half of the Saturday’s Kickapoo Tournament championship between the host Chiefs and the Rockwood Summit Falcons at Pottenger Stadium.
The two teams went scoreless in the opening 40 minutes.
However, senior Hunter Durham would put in the game’s first goal just 50 seconds into the second frame, helping to loosen up the Rockwood Summit defense.
Fellow senior Turner Adams free kick goal five minutes later, putting Kickapoo up 2-0, proved to be too big of a deficit for the Falcons to withstand. The Chiefs went on to take the game 2-1 and the tournament championship after winning three games in a two day span.
The experience of Kickapoo’s seniors proved vital throughout the tournament.
“These seniors are a great group, I cannot say enough about these kids. Not only are they good soccer players, they are great young men. We are very fortunate to have them,” said Kickapoo coach Phil Hodge.
The Chiefs celebrated along with their loyal fans, who braved near freezing temperatures to cheer on their team, immediately following the game. A sight that was refreshing to Coach Hodge.
“They had the goal of winning this thing and they came in and got the job done. It’s neat to see them celebrate on their own turf”, said Hodge.
What made the victory even more impressive was the gauntlet of a schedule the Chiefs have been through over the past nine days.
Since last Friday Kickapoo has played eight games against top flight competition, including wins over state ranked Saint Louis University High (4), and Lee’s Summit West (10).
“This is probably the toughest schedule we’ve played since I’ve been here,” said Hodge.
Next week it doesn’t get any easier.
Kickapoo visits Waynesville in Ozark Conference action before heading to Jefferson City to participate in the Art Firley Shootout. State ranked Rockhurst, as well as a very good Jefferson City Blue Jays squad awaits the 13-2 Chiefs.
Glendale defeated Lee’s Summit West 4-3 in the third place match.
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