The Columbia High School boys soccer squad brought home a fourth place trophy from the IHSA Class 1A state tournament late last week in Hoffmann Estates.

The Eagles played solid soccer in both matches but were simply unable to capitalize on scoring chances.

Despite dominating play for much of the match, Columbia suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Chicago Cristo Rey Jesuit in the state semifinal Friday evening.

The Cristeros scored in the 71st minute on a long pass that one of its players was able to catch up with and sneak past Columbia goalkeeper Brady Hemminghaus. 

Columbia outshot its opponent 20-7 in the contest, although only seven of those shots were on goal. The Eagles also had seven corner kicks, but the Cristeros turned in a stellar defensive performance.

The Eagles had plenty of opportunities to score, the greatest likely being on a header by Hayes van Breusegen late in the first half. A Cristeros defender somehow made an amazing play to head van Breusegen’s header out of the way. 

Columbia hadn’t lost since starting the season 0-3 and entered its second straight state tourney unbeaten since the Sept. 1 death of teammate Crawford Bryant in a car crash.

Thursday’s match marked the first time the Eagles had been held scoreless since Aug. 31.

A scuffle broke out following the final buzzer, resulting in red cards issued to Columbia head coach Jamey Bridges and a Cristo Rey player. The match also featured four yellow cards, two issued to each team.

Columbia played for its second straight third place state showing late Friday morning, but lost in penalty kicks to Mendota, 2-1. Just like on Thursday, the game was scoreless at halftime.

Micah James netted a second half goal for the Eagles and the game went into overtime tied 1-1. 

In penalty kicks, Elliot Nelson missed, Liam Bivins scored, Quentin Frentzel scored, James scored and then Wyatt Etherton missed. Meanwhile, Mendota made all but its second PK attempt for the 4-3 edge.

Columbia attempted 24 total shots in the third place game, but only eight were on net.

The Eagles ended their season with a record of 24-5-1.

Outgoing seniors for Columbia include leading scorer van Breusegen, who was named all-state after scoring 33 goals and recording seven assists.

Other key seniors were James (17 goals, 18 assists), Bivins (17 goals, 10 assists), Hemminghaus (0.91 goals against average, .851 save percentage) and defender Jack Fromme.

Following Crawford’s death, the team bonded, and the Eagles went on a 25-game unbeaten streak to advance to a second consecutive state tourney.

“Missed opportunities and tough breaks,” Columbia head coach Jamey Bridges said as an assessment of this year’s state tourney appearance. “Very unfortunate to end that way.” 

As for the season as a whole, Bridges praised the way his team battled through the hard times.

“It was a rough year on so many fronts and we had to overcome so much,” he said. “Our seniors were incredible in the way they led and helped the younger players. Lots to be proud of – most wins in school history, back-to-back state trips and a 25-game unbeaten streak.”

In a Facebook post, Bridges commented that his team played for something bigger this season – that being a fallen friend, teammate and brother.

“While we didn’t win it all, we discovered ourselves, who we are, why we play, that it’s more than games and practices – its a brotherhood, one that lasts longer than a season,” he posted.