Soccer

FCCHS began its quest for its 3rd third straight state championship against Tower Grove Christian School. The last time these two schools played in the regular season, FCCHS lost by a score of 3-1. Field conditions at the Joplin state tournament didn't help matters as torrential rains soaked the field on the previous day. The contest between Faith and Tower Grove went back and forth as both teams missed several scoring opportunities. At the end of regulation, the game was tied 0-0. However, in the second sudden death overtime, forward Sam Haberberger made a nice crossing pass which was headed into the net by the team's other forward Mark Stern.

The second game of the tournament pitted Faith against cross-state rival Blue Ridge Christian Academy. Blue Ridge was last year's MCSAA Division 1 Champion and was eager to defend its crown. Faith brought its same crisp passing game that had helped it win the day before against Tower Grove. Faith scored first on a lead pass from midfielder Michael Arb to Sam Haberberger. Faith went up by the score of 2-0 on unassisted goal by Mark Stern. It was now Blue Ridge's turn as they countered with two unanswered goals to tie the game 2-2. In the second half, sweeper Jesse Jauernig took a direct kick a good distance from the goal. With players scattered in front of the goal, the view of the goalie appeared to be screened and the ball found the back of the net. Shortly thereafter, Jauernig put the game out of reach with a long direct kick which was perfectly placed in the left upper corner of the goal.

The championship game was a showdown between Faith Community Christian High School and North County Christian High School. Faith had defeated North County in an away game 3-1 during the regular season, but North County returned the favor later in the season by defeating Faith 2-1 at a game played at the Anheuser-Busch soccer complex. One of the North County goals was on a penalty kick. North County also won the TRCAA tournament final against Faith with a 1-0 score in a hard fought contest. The MCSAA Championship game between these two teams was no different. As each team vigorously pressed the attack, Faith and North County each missed a number of good scoring chances. You could see the determination and fatigue on the faces of each team's players, knowing that the first goal scored might be the game winner. With less than 2 minutes left in regulation, a North County player committed a hand ball foul right in front of the goal. Faith was awarded a penalty shot which was taken by midfielder David Balassi. As the goalie guessed left, Balassi put a brisk shot into the right side of the net. Two minutes later, the boys of Faith Community Christian High School were celebrating their first Division 1 Championship after winning Division II championships in 2007 and 2008. Coach Mike Murphy received a water cooler shower from his team and then the boys piled on top of each other in the middle of the field with their faithful fans cheering wildly.

Faith Community finished the season with an impressive record of 18 wins, 7 losses. In addition to winning the state championship, Faith was also the co-champion of their regular season TRCAA conference. Sweeper Jesse Jauernig, forward Sam Haberberger and midfielder David Balassi were named to the MCSAA all state team.