Brendan Donovan received a few sideways looks and puzzled glances during his sophomore season.
The skilled Duchesne midfielder, who transferred from De Smet midway through his freshman year, was forced to play soccer at a sub-varsity level as a sophomore due to transfer regulations.
“That wasn’t very fun, but I stuck through it,” Donovan said.
It was equally un-fun for his junior varsity opponents.
“They asked, ‘You’re on JV?’” he said.
Now a key contributor for the Duchesne varsity team, Donovan has helped power the Pioneers to a 13-5 overall record and the No. 1 spot in Class 1 according to the October 10 rankings released by the Missouri State High School Soccer Coaches Association.
Duchesne junior midfielder Brendan Donovan makes the list of STL’s Best XI for the week of Oct. 1-7.
It did not take long for Donovan to adapt to the varsity game. He scored the first goal of the Pioneers’ season on a header in a 4-1 victory over Hazelwood West, his first of six game-winning goals.
“That was such a good feeling because last year I had to sit out and watch,” Donovan said.
Despite playing on the junior varsity squad last season, Donovan became an instrumental force in building camaraderie and helping to raise the level of play of his teammates.
“He knew coming in he wouldn’t be able to play on the varsity level. It was rough, but he really helped build the team chemistry with the younger guys and was a great leader, and that carried over into this year,” Duchesne coach Patrick Turner said.
Donovan is a captain for the Pioneers along with senior Landon Kristensen, and together, they have helped Duchesne keep an even-keeled approach throughout the highs and lows of the season.
On Oct. 5, Donovan scored the game-winning goal and added two assists in a 3-1 victory over then-No. 1 ranked Bishop DuBourg.
Four days later, the Pioneers lost to rival Lutheran St. Charles 3-2 in double overtime when a penalty kick was awarded after an inadvertent handball occurred in the box.
“Even after a tough loss against a big rival like Lutheran, they’re upset, but they get the guys back down to Earth and say we have bigger fish to fry,” Turner said.
The big fish showed up on Oct. 6.
The 2003 team, the last Duchesne boys soccer team to win a state title, was recognized during a game against Priory. That moment served as an inspiration for Donovan.
“We want that to be us in 20 years,” Donovan said.
And Donovan will be a key cog if the Pioneers make a long postseason run. He has 13 goals, seven assists and leads Duchesne in points with 33, but it is his all-around game that has been most impressive.
“His soccer IQ and vision are outstanding and that helps his teammates. He sees things other guys don’t see, and when we watch it in film, we point it out,” Turner said. “It’s exciting to have a guy on your team like that who can be so explosive day in and day out.”
That explosion is currently a volcanic eruption, as Donovan has scored nine goals in his last eight games including four game-winners.
“Once I get a goal, it boosts my energy, and it really gets me going,” Donovan said.
And stopping is not part of the plan for a player in peak physical condition who rarely leaves the field.
“I don’t really get tired that much. There’s a lot in the tank. My game is really passing, finishing and fitness,” Donovan said.
Donovan knows that finishing the season at Soccer Park in Fenton on the final weekend of the season will take a complete team effort – an effort that he is excited to lead.
“We know each other so well, how each player is going to move off the ball. It really helps to have the boys love each other like that and play so well together,” Donovan said.
To be recognized in the Best XI, players are first nominated by their coach and then final selections are voted on by a committee of high school soccer coaches. This week’s Best XI can be found below.
Forwards:
Johnny Petruso, junior, St. Dominic
Scored a hat trick and added an assist against conference rival Borgia. Then, he followed up with two goals and an assist against Tolton Catholic. An All-Region selection as a sophomore, Petruso has seven goals and eight assists this season after leading the final-four bound Crusaders in scoring last year.
Grant Locker, senior, SLUH
Scored the game-winning goal against Vianney to go along with goals against Lindbergh and Triad. A dynamic forward and the key cog in the SLUH attack, Locker put together a streak of scoring at least one goal in eight consecutive games between Sept. 22 and Oct. 7. He has scored 16 goals and eight game-winners this season.
Brandon Kostelny, senior, Oakville
Scored twice against both Fort Zumwalt South and Hickman and added an assist against Ozark to help Oakville go 2-0-1 in the Rock Bridge Invitational. The Tigers’ leader is goals scored, Kostelny has a high soccer IQ and calmness on the ball that enables him to distribute key passes and find scoring opportunities.
Midfielders:
Tyler Bouckaert, senior, Summit
Assisted on the game-winning goal in double-overtime to help Summit defeat Chaminade. A classic, hard-working, box-to-box midfielder, Bouckaert has scored five goals and added eight assists while playing nearly every minute this season for the 10-4-1 Falcons.
Brendan Donovan junior, Duchesne
Scored four goals and added three assists to help the Pioneers win two of three games during the week. A junior captain, Donovan was driving force in wins over Pattonville and Bishop DuBourg and scored the lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Priory in which Duchesne went down to 10 men early in the contest. He has 13 goals and seven assists for the 13-5 Pioneers.
Gavin Weber, sophomore, DeSmet
Contributed an assist in a 2-1 victory over Chaminade and created the game-winning goal with an assist in double overtime in a 3-2 win against CBC. A sophomore starter, Weber skillfully directs traffic in the midfield while distributing effectively. He helped the Spartans win four consecutive games against district opponents from Sept. 30-Oct. 7.
Wole Adeoye, junior, Clayton
Scored five goals and added an assist in road games against Marquette, Cape Notre Dame and Jackson. A three-year varsity player, Adoeye has tallied 13 goals and 12 assists on the year for a Greyhounds’ team that has compiled a 12-4 overall record.
Defenders:
Austin Werner, senior, DeSmet
The anchor of the De Smet defense, Werner was outstanding in victories over district opponents CBC and Chaminade. An excellent ball-winner with the ability to attack, Werner has helped the Spartans earn six shutouts and compile a 9-2-1 overall record.
Christian Thro, senior, SLUH
A three-year starter and senior captain, Thro commands the SLUH defense and was instrumental in a stretch of 10 consecutive shutouts, including wins over Vianney, Lindbergh and previously undefeated Triad this week. Thro has developed into the perfect lockdown defender for the 15-1-1 Jr. Billikens.
Beacan Mottl, senior, Clayton
A four-year starter and two-year captain, Mottl helped the Greyhounds earn a shutout at Cape Notre Dame, a 4-1 victory at Marquette and played well in a one-goal loss at Jackson. Mottl is a solid center back who defends the top forwards, keeps the Greyhounds balanced and contributes to helping build out their attack.
Goalie:
Chris Lewis, senior, SLUH
Continued a streak of 10 consecutive games without surrendering a goal with a 10-save performance against Vianney and shutouts of Lindbergh and Triad. The commander of a stellar SLUH defense, Lewis has a career record of 55-5-1, including a 21-save masterpiece in a 1-0 victory over CBC earlier this season.