Thompson: Today, we’re talking with the boys’ varsity soccer team. Joining us are Baron Boric, Wole Adeoye and Elias Kilbridge. How are you guys doing today?
Players: Great. I’m good. Amazing.
Thompson: Pretty solid start to the season. What’s your current record?
Boric: Dude, like 17-4.
Kilbridge: Yeah, right now, 21 or something?
Adeoye: No, right now we’re 17-2. Hopefully, we finish 19-4 with the two games we have left.
Thompson: Let’s take it back a little—tell us about your soccer careers. When did you guys start playing?
Boric: I’ve basically been playing since I could walk. I started competitive soccer in kindergarten and just stuck with it—elementary school teams, rec leagues and club soccer. It’s always been a big part of my life.
Adeoye: Yeah, for you, Clayton Rec soccer was probably super competitive back then.
Thompson: Now you’re heading into the state semis. How are you feeling about the matchup?
Boric: It’s going to be interesting. We don’t have any common opponents with Logan-Rogersville, so it’s going to be interesting not knowing how to team really is. We’ve seen some film, but it’s really about adjusting during the game and hopefully pull off the win.
Nissenholtz: Who would you say is the most underrated player of the season?
Boric: For me, it’s Jack Lehtman. He’s been key for us in his first year on varsity—just really solid.
Kilbridge: Matthew Hurst for sure. He’s always consistent in midfield and does his job effectively.
Adeoye: Ian Barnes has stepped up big time. He wasn’t expecting such a significant role, but he’s started in big games and really contributed.
Thompson: Baron, you scored two goals in the state quarterfinals against Lutheran South. Walk us through them.
Baron: I’ve been playing midfield lately for tactical reasons, but during a corner kick, Keaton made a great move, crossed it, and I was there at the back post to finish it. For the second, Sam Leonard ran it up the line, and I was in the box waiting to tap it in. Both goals were the result of great teamwork.
Thompson: Speaking of teamwork, how has getting Sam Leonard back this year impacted the team?
Adeoye: He’s been huge. I’ve leaned on him a lot—he’s a big goal scorer and makes key plays. Hopefully, we can keep building on that momentum in these last two games. He’s a phenomenal player with so much heart for the game.
Nissenholtz: Speaking about someone else who has heart for the game: Sam Rotskoff. This is his first year starting, right? He has done pretty good. What have you guys thought about his performances?
Boric: Yeah, and he’s been incredible, especially in penalty shootouts. His save percentage is close to 50%, which is insane.
Adeoye: He was clutch in the Ladue game, saving two penalties. And who could forget when Keaton almost scored an own goal, and Sam made a diving save to keep us alive? He’s been a huge part of our success this year.
Nissenholtz: The state final and semi—where is it being held this year?
Kildbridge: It’s at Lindenwood. They moved it from Soccer Park.
Adeoye: Classes 1 and 2 play Wednesday and Thursday at Lindenwood, and classes 3 and 4 are at Soccer Park Friday and Saturday. It’s a little different this year, but it should be good.
Thompson: Tomorrow night, are you switching up anything or sticking with what’s worked so far?
Kilbridge and Adeoye: Mostly sticking to what’s gotten us here. We’ll tweak a few things to handle their style of play, but the focus is on playing our game.
Thompson: What do we know about Logan-Rogersville?
Boric and Adeoye: They’re from Springfield and made it to the Class 2 final last year, losing 1-0 to Westminster. We don’t have common opponents, but they’ve won their last two games in overtime, so they’re tough under pressure.
Thompson: Looking back, do you think Nico’s goal in districts was the most important play of the season?
Boric and Adeoye: Definitely. In overtime, everyone’s exhausted, and with sudden-death rules, it could’ve gone either way. Nico kept pressing, and that goal was huge in getting us this far.
Thompson: Who’s on the other side of the semis?
Kilbridge: Orchard Farm and St. Michael’s. We beat Orchard Farm earlier in the season 5-1, but the final would definitely have a different energy. St. Michael’s is ranked #2 and will be a tough team to face.
Thompson: Thanks for joining us, and good luck tomorrow!
