Thrilling Finish: Saint Joseph Boys Soccer Defeats Penn in Penalty Shootout

Photo byAustin Hough

In a high-stakes soccer showdown at Penn High School, South Bend Saint Joseph delivered a dramatic 1-1 (4-3 PKs) victory over Penn on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. The match ended in a nail-biting penalty shootout, sending Saint Joseph players and fans into a frenzy of celebration on Penn's home turf.

The game was tightly contested, with both teams showing resilience and determination. Penn senior Andre Gomez struck first, converting a penalty kick early in the second half to give Penn a 1-0 lead. However, Saint Joseph’s senior Adrian Raygoza responded with a crucial goal to level the score later in the half, energizing his teammates and setting the stage for a heart-stopping finish.

In the penalty shootout, Saint Joseph’s senior goalkeeper Andrew Yergler emerged as the hero, making a decisive save in the sixth round of penalties to keep his team alive. Senior Jackson Risk then sealed the victory for Saint Joseph, calmly slotting home the game-winning penalty to secure the 4-3 win in PKs.

Penn senior goalkeeper Nicholas Hague also made a critical save during the shootout, but it wasn’t enough to fend off the relentless Saint Joseph attack. The electric atmosphere was palpable as Penn fans celebrated Gomez’s early goal, only to be left in suspense as the match unfolded.

This thrilling victory for Saint Joseph adds yet another memorable chapter to the ongoing rivalry between these two powerhouse teams.