“Excitement” was how Coach Josh Klein explained his reaction to the only goal scored last night.

After losing two heartbreaking games to Saint Louis U. High in the regular season, the soccer team pulled out a 1-0 win over the Junior Billikens to win the sectional title.

Connor Range had 13 saves and was far and away the most important player for the Spartans all night. With almost no regard for his body, the junior goalkeeper snatched up every corner kick and cross that came his way.

“We told him he was going to have to make a couple big saves,” Klein said, “and he did.”

The few balls he was not able to get a hand on, his defenders were there to back him up making multiple goal line clears to preserve the 1-0 lead late in the second half.

Although the Spartans had only two shots on goal all night, they were able to make the most of their second opportunity on a free kick sent in by Nick Hanson. The kick was deflected by a head ball and fell to Junior Jack Klinger who buried the ball into the top right corner with about 18 minutes left in the game. Similar to the District Final game, the team drew warnings from the referees as well as threats to negate the goal as a result of the ensuing celebration.

After the goal, De Smet parked the bus keeping 10 men in the defensive end with the sole objective of clearing any ball that came through the middle of the field.

“That was the longest 18 minutes of my life,” senior Matt Yankowitz said after the game.

Fans – you’ve been incredible so far! Let’s keep it going!! #allin https://t.co/SnwA6F4sfS

— DeSmet Jesuit Soccer (@DeSmetSoccer) November 4, 2015

The Spartans take a 20-7-1 record to Lafayette Saturday at 1 p.m. in the state quarterfinals against an undefeated Lancers team (23-0-1).