A Columbia High School boys soccer squad that entered the 2024 season with high expectations following a third place state showing last year is making a return trip north with an opportunity for an even larger trophy this time around.

The Eagles (24-3-1) posted a 4-1 victory at home Saturday against Williamsville in the supersectional round to advance to the IHSA Class 1A state tourney taking place this week near Chicago. 

This trip to state appeared less likely in late August when Columbia started its season 0-3. Adding to that early frustration was the sadness that followed the tragic death of teammate Crawford Bryant in a vehicle crash on Sept. 1 that also injured other CHS students.

But this team – along with the entire community – bonded through that tragedy, and it sparked positivity along the way. 

In fact, the Eagles have not lost since Bryant’s death. The team carries its fallen teammate’s framed jersey on the field for every game and chants his name when breaking the huddle.

“We just talk each game about playing for each other and playing for Crawford and have never really talked about not losing,” Columbia head coach Jamey Bridges said. “(We) really have just taken it one game at a time.”

Columbia wasted no time in taking the lead Saturday, as leading scorer Hayes van Breusegen popped in a quick goal just more than 90 seconds in. 

Not to be outdone, Drew Elliot scored on a corner kick assisted by Micah James to put Columbia up 2-0 with just more than 17 minutes remaining in the first half. 

Williamsville made it interesting late in the first half, notching a goal to make it 2-1. The score remained that way at halftime. 

The second half was a stalemate until the final 18 minutes or so. Off another corner kick, James scored on a header assisted by Quentin Frentzel to put Columbia up 3-1 with about 17:30 remaining. 

James came through with the exclamation point about eight minutes later, scoring again off an assist from Luke DeWilde. 

Columbia also downed Williamsville at last year’s supersectional, 1-0.

Columbia will face Chicago’s Cristo Rey Jesuit in the Class 1A state semifinals set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The other two teams in the state tourney are Normal University and Mendota.

Columbia advanced to the supersectional by virtue of an amazing 3-2 victory over Father McGivney in the sectional final last Wednesday at Granite City. 

Down 2-0 at halftime, the Eagles scored twice to send the match into overtime. James netted the game-winner in OT for Columbia.

“The playoff run has been a lot of coming together, battling sickness and injuries,” Bridges said. “(We) finally feel like we’re getting healthy in time for state.”

With a state semifinal win Thursday, the Eagles would play for a state title at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. A loss on Thursday would put the Eagles in the third place game at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

This is the fourth state appearance for Columbia boys soccer. Prior to last year’s third place finish, the Eagles won in 2014 and placed third in 2010.

The leading scorer this season for Columbia is van Breusegen with 33 goals and seven assists, followed by James with 16 goals and 18 assists. Liam Bivins has 17 goals and 10 assists.

Solid in net all season for the Eagles is goalkeeper Brady Hemminghaus, who is 20-2-1 with an .854 save percentage and 0.87 goals against average.

“I know before we played Mascoutah, I told the boys our goal is to play 27 games, and we have had Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m. on our board all year,” said Bridges, who is also the Columbia girls soccer coach. “It’s something I do every year in boys and girls, that is the goal to play in that game and give us a chance to win a state title. 

“If we could do it this year – especially with what we’ve been through – it would be special for sure.” 

See photos from Saturday’s win by clicking here.