East Bears, Rockhurst, Summit Christian advance to Saturday state-title soccer matches

With two second-half goals, the East High Bears beat Glendale 2-0 in Friday’s boys soccer semifinals to reach the Class 3 state championship game — with a chance of winning the school’s first state title in any sport in nearly a century.

East’s leading scorer this season, sophomore Jackson Twizerimana (29 goals entering Friday’s game), broke a scoreless stalemate against the Bears’ opponent from Springfield with a goal midway through the second half in Fenton.

Bears teammate Esube Byoke, East’s second-leading scorer this fall (28 goals entering Friday’s game), added an insurance goal in the waning minutes to ensure victory for the high-powered Kansas City Public Schools team.

The Bears (20-2-1) didn’t talk much about a revenge factor entering Friday’s semifinal showdown, but Glendale was the last team to hand East a loss way back in September.

The Bears will play Webster Groves (20-3-3) for the Class 3 state championship on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. They’ll be vying for the first state title for East since the school’s 1929 basketball championship.

All semifinal and championship matches — Classes 1-4 — as well as Saturday’s games for third place are being played at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.

In Friday’s night’s last semifinal of the day, Class 4 Rockhurst defeated Columbia Rock Bridge 3-2 to advance to the state championship game.

The Hawklets (20-2-2) will take on Christian Brothers College (17-9), a 1-0 winner against St. Dominic, in Saturday’s title match at 7 p.m.

Rockhurst and Rock Bridge traded goals in the opening five minutes Friday night. The Columbia side drew first blood, but the Hawklets answered soon after when junior Baka Kante drew a penalty in the box and converted the ensuing penalty kick.

With 22:50 remaining until halftime, Rockhurst freshman Asende Welongo sent a cross to Uchan Kohring that Kohring headed into the net. The Hawklets added their final goal shortly before intermission, with Liam Ver Meer scoring off an assist from Max Hafner.

Earlier, in the Class 1 semifinals, Summit Christian Academy beat New Covenant Academy 3-1. Summit Christian Academy, like East and Rockhurst, will play for a state championship Saturday.

The Eagles (18-6) are scheduled to take on St. Francis Borgia (14-9), a 2-1 winner over Bishop DuBourg in Friday’s other Class 1 semifinal, for the title at 11 a.m.

In the Class 2 tournament, also at Fenton, Excelsior Springs lost 3-1 to Marshall in Friday’s semifinal round. Excelsior Springs will play Saxony Lutheran for third place Saturday.

CLASS 4

Friday semifinals

Christian Bros. College 1, St. Dominic 0

Rockhurst 3, Columbia Rock Bridge 2

Saturday’s championship

Rockhurst vs. Christian Bros. College, 7 p.m.

Third-place game

Rock Bridge vs. St. Dominic, 5 p.m.

CLASS 3

Friday semifinals

Webster Groves 1, Whitfield 0

East (KC) 2, Springfield Glendale 0

Saturday’s championship

East (KC) vs. Webster Groves, 1:30 p.m.

Third-place game

Springfield Glendale vs. Whitfield, noon

CLASS 2

Friday semifinals

Orchard Farm 2, Saxony Lutheran 0

Marshall 3, Excelsior Springs 1

Saturday’s championship

Marshall vs. Orchard Farm, 4 p.m.

Third-place game

Excelsior Springs vs. Saxony Lutheran, 2:30 p.m.

CLASS 1

Friday semifinals

St. Francis Borgia 2, Bishop DuBourg 1

Summit Christian 3, New Covenant 1

Saturday’s championship

Summit Christian vs. St. Francis Borgia, 11 a.m.

Third-place game

Bishop DuBourg vs. New Covenant, 10 a.m.

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