By Luke Bishop ‘25

Can you imagine if the biggest match of the year in Brother Rice soccer went to penalties? That’s what happened on Saturday, September 9, in the Pulaski Cup against Marist.

The Brother Rice soccer team played Marist in the annual Pulaski Cup. The Crusaders won the match in penalties after a very intense match. Brother Rice improved to 4-1-1 overall on the season.

The match was very competitive from the start. Rice had many shots on goal, but Marist goalkeeper Joe Lieber was incredible and kept them in the match.

Senior Liam Greene said, “I think he was amazing. If he didn’t play the game of his life, it would not have gone to penalties.”

Brother Rice did have a goal 20 minutes into the match, but it was called back for offside. The call was very close, but it was definitely the right one. Marist did have a few opportunities, but most of the match was dominated by the Crusaders. However, thanks to the goalkeeping of Lieber, Marist managed to force penalties.

Rice won the coin toss and elected to shoot second. The first round of the shootout was very straightforward as both teams easily made their penalty shots. However, Marist missed their second penalty shot. This was the key moment in the shootout as Rice now had the advantage.

Rice made their third penalty shot and then Marist made a surprising decision to have their backup keeper Billy Petto take their third penalty shot.

This was almost unheard of since usually goalkeepers don’t take penalties. There was also controversy over whether he was eligible to shoot. In professional soccer penalty shootouts, only players who were on the field at the end of overtime/regular time are allowed to participate in penalties. However, in high school soccer anyone, can shoot and Petto made his penalty.

Then Brother Rice missed their next penalty as Salvador Perez’s shot hit the crossbar. Marist hit their fourth penalty and the score was once again even.

Brother Rice made their fourth penalty; then junior goalkeeper David Valencia made a clutch save on Marist’s fifth penalty shot. This meant the score was now 4-4 with Rice having the advantage.

Senior Julian Alvarez made his shot to win the Pulaski Cup. Brother Rice beat Marist for the third straight year in soccer.

The reaction of the match was amazing from Brother Rice players and coaches.

Senior captain Jimmy Gricus said, “I think it’s great that we got the win in penalties. We weren’t at our best, but it’s great that we still got it done.”

First year Head Coach Al Perez of Brother Rice said, “I am pleased with the result of the match and of how my boys played.”

Perez, former head coach of Washington High School, also said he hopes that this result will give momentum to the team for the rest of the year. Perez led Washington to a state championship in 2013 along with a third place finish in 2021. He accepted a job from Brother Rice last summer.

At the time of this publication, the Crusaders’ next match will be against Mt. Carmel. Rice hopes to continue their winning streak against the Caravan.

Photo Source: Erin Vaughan