Goalkeeper Baden blasts overtime free kick to send Fort Zumwalt West to program’s first state semifinal with win over Francis Howell

WELDON SPRING – Fort Zumwalt goalkeeper Cody Baden does not normally take free kicks when the ball is resting at midfield.

But in overtime of the state quarterfinal match against Francis Howell, and with a stiff wind at his back, the strong-legged Baden stood 50 yards away from the net he was protecting and booted the ball goalward.

“I was aiming for one of our center backs coming across,” Baden said. “But, I overhit it.”

Baden’s wind-aided blast sailed over his target, over the Vikings’ keeper and directly into the net to give Fort Zumwalt West a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory in a Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 4 quarterfinal Saturday at Francis Howell High.

Fort Zumwalt West (19-3-2), which has a 17-game unbeaten streak, advanced to the state semifinals for the first time in program history. The Jaguars will face defending Class 4 champion SLUH (22-3-2) at 4 p.m. Friday at Soccer Park in Fenton.

Rockhurst (22-0-1) and Park Hill South (18-5) will battle in the other Class 4 semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday.

“We set lofty goals at the beginning of the year,” first-year coach Brian Hruby said. “The guys get all the credit. They put their blood, sweat and tears into the season. It’s a blessing that we get to train this week and then go down to Soccer Park and play.”

It had been 15 games since Fort Zumwalt West faced a halftime deficit, but after an excellent start by Francis Howell (14-6-1) and a header by Vikings’ senior Brody Massey off a corner kick, the Jaguars found themselves trailing 1-0 at intermission.

“We knew they’re a quality side, and we knew they were going to come out with the energy that they had. At halftime, we said, ‘It’s a game. Try to enjoy the moment. Try to enjoy the atmosphere that you’re in. Be calm and take a breath,’” Hruby recalled.

Taking a breath took on a literal and figurative meaning for Baden, who left the game for three minutes midway through the first half when he had the wind knocked out of him. The halftime reset seemed to both relax and energize the Jaguars.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been down (at halftime). It was a wakeup call that we had to lock in, and we came out buzzin’,” Baden said.  

Just two minutes into the second half, senior Jason Weinhold received a cross from junior Landon Miley and punctured it into the back of the net to tie the score at 1. Weinhold celebrated by using the corner flag as a guitar, and the Jaguars were back in tune.

“The guys rallied around each other, and it was nice to tie it up early in the second (half),” Hruby said.

Minutes later, Weinhold burst into the clear. Francis Howell senior goalkeeper Bradley Flick came way out of his net to cut down the angle, slide and make an excellent save. Flick was active and aggressive throughout the second half, attacking corner kicks, crosses and long throws before they could reach their intended targets.

Francis Howell withstood the amplified pressure of the Jaguars, and over the final 20 minutes of regulation, created several scoring opportunities. An outstanding cross by senior Owen Martin barely eluded a tap-in at the far post. Two courageous blocks by Fort Zumwalt West junior Chase Worrell denied Vikings’ shots from arriving on net.

“After that first 10 minutes where they equalized and had a few other opportunities, we righted ourselves, collected ourselves, and that last 20 minutes, we had several good opportunities,” Francis Howell coach Michael Enright said. “I was proud of how we rebounded. We just couldn’t seem to get that final touch and push ahead.”

The game went to overtime, and the Jaguars chose to have the wind at their backs. Within the opening minutes, Fort Zumwalt West earned a free kick opportunity just outside the 50-yard line. Baden, who usually takes free kicks only when they originate in the defensive third of the field, stepped behind it and gave it a blast.

As he had done all half, Flick attacked both the ball and the line of Jaguars looking to head it forward, but the wind carried it farther than he expected. It drifted inches over his outstretched right arm and settled into the back of the net.

“Once I saw it go over the keeper, I immediately started taking off my gloves and running,” Baden said.

While Baden ran towards his bench and student section in jubilation, Flick dropped to the turf with his hands on his head in disbelief.

“It’s unfortunate because (Flick) is a really quality keeper, first team all-conference. You want to win, but you don’t want to win at the expense of someone else. I have nothing but the utmost respect for him and for Francis Howell,” Hruby said.

For Enright, the unfortunate conclusion did not take away from an outstanding quarterfinal performance and an outstanding season from the Vikings.

“Our keeper has been great all season. He came out and tried to make an aggressive play and the wind just kind of took it last second and it floated in,” Enright said. “I’m really proud of our guys. They brought ‘A’ effort today. That’s the game of soccer. Sometimes, you just fall a little short.”

Fort Zumwalt West went 12-8 last season and lost in the first round of districts as a No. 6 seed to Timberland. An inspired group, led by nine seniors, believed this season could be different.

“Last year, going out in the first round at districts was disappointing. This year, we knew we wanted to go far and we worked incredibly hard,” Baden said. “A lot of credit goes to Coach Hruby. As much as we work for him, he does so much behind the scenes. He watches an incredible amount of film and prepares us for every opponent.”

The Jaguars haven’t lost since a 4-2 setback to Ladue on Sept. 20 – a streak of 17 consecutive games without a defeat.

“We don’t talk about that,” Hruby said with a laugh.

But the Jaguars and their Zumwalt Schools counterpart, Class 3 semifinalist Fort Zumwalt East, will be the talk of Soccer Park this weekend as first-time entrants into the boys soccer state semifinals.

“Pure happiness,” Weinhold said. “We made history.”  

And the Jaguars have no plan of settling for one historical achievement.

“We’re going to enjoy this for now, but when we get there, it’s going to be all business,” Baden said.

For a photo gallery from this game, go to: https://benvessa.smugmug.com/Boys-Soccer/Boys-Soccer-2025/Fort-Zumwalt-West-vs-Francis-Howell-11-15-25