BELLEVILLE - Sugar River junior Otto Kienitz's return to the soccer field had a "Rudy"- or "Hoosiers"-like movie script feeling Thursday night.
Kienitz, in his first game back after recovering from a microfractured foot, scored three goals to lift the Raiders to a comeback 4-2 win over Lakeside Lutheran at the Belleville Sports Complex. Kienitz hasn't played soccer in about five months after the injury kept him out of the State Cup club season in the summer. Sugar River soccer fans serenaded him with "Happy Birthday" after the game.
"It's every player's dream to have a hat trick," Kienitz said. "It was a great present. We have been off to a tough start. I'm glad to be back. Now we can make our run in conference."
With the win, Sugar River improves to 2-6-1, 1-1 Capitol South. After the Lakeside Lutheran goalkeeper had a ball bounce out of his hands, Kienitz powered in his third goal, putting the finishing touches on the victory before an injury scare.
"I was on the ground laughing because it was just cramps," Kienitz said. "I wasn't sure how it would feel. I guess the adrenaline helped."
The Warriors jumped out to an early lead when freshman Isaiah Gronholz scored at 9 minutes, 40 seconds. The Raiders had several golden scoring opportunities in the first half.
Sugar River sophomore Justin Stadelman had a shot off the near post in the 14th minute and Kienitz just missed a shot. Stadelman had a goal with three minutes left in the first half wiped out by an offsides penalty. The Warriors in a big turning point had sophomore Nathan Graumann slip a goal past Sugar River junior goalkeeper Eric Anderson at 38:56 to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead at the half.
"At halftime, I told the guys that they were doing everything right," Sugar River coach Matt Belknap said. "The guys are so resilient. This is our redemption game. The midfield wings did a nice job of playing patiently. We probably played the quickest game so far this season."
The tide turned in the second half when the Raiders exploded for four goals. Stadelman scored a goal at 46:48 to cut the Warriors' lead to 2-1. After a hand ball in the box, Kienitz scored his first goal on a penalty kick at 60:19 to tie the game at 2. He scored the go-ahead goal on a shot from about 20 yards out off an assist from Stadelman to give the Raiders a 3-2 lead at 63:46.
Sugar River sophomore goalkeeper Alex Gocht had four saves and Anderson had two.
Belknap is confident the Raiders' best soccer is ahead of them.
"We have lost a lot of games we feel like we should have won," Belknap said. "I'm really excited for every game from now on."
Kienitz, in his first game back after recovering from a microfractured foot, scored three goals to lift the Raiders to a comeback 4-2 win over Lakeside Lutheran at the Belleville Sports Complex. Kienitz hasn't played soccer in about five months after the injury kept him out of the State Cup club season in the summer. Sugar River soccer fans serenaded him with "Happy Birthday" after the game.
"It's every player's dream to have a hat trick," Kienitz said. "It was a great present. We have been off to a tough start. I'm glad to be back. Now we can make our run in conference."
With the win, Sugar River improves to 2-6-1, 1-1 Capitol South. After the Lakeside Lutheran goalkeeper had a ball bounce out of his hands, Kienitz powered in his third goal, putting the finishing touches on the victory before an injury scare.
"I was on the ground laughing because it was just cramps," Kienitz said. "I wasn't sure how it would feel. I guess the adrenaline helped."
The Warriors jumped out to an early lead when freshman Isaiah Gronholz scored at 9 minutes, 40 seconds. The Raiders had several golden scoring opportunities in the first half.
Sugar River sophomore Justin Stadelman had a shot off the near post in the 14th minute and Kienitz just missed a shot. Stadelman had a goal with three minutes left in the first half wiped out by an offsides penalty. The Warriors in a big turning point had sophomore Nathan Graumann slip a goal past Sugar River junior goalkeeper Eric Anderson at 38:56 to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead at the half.
"At halftime, I told the guys that they were doing everything right," Sugar River coach Matt Belknap said. "The guys are so resilient. This is our redemption game. The midfield wings did a nice job of playing patiently. We probably played the quickest game so far this season."
The tide turned in the second half when the Raiders exploded for four goals. Stadelman scored a goal at 46:48 to cut the Warriors' lead to 2-1. After a hand ball in the box, Kienitz scored his first goal on a penalty kick at 60:19 to tie the game at 2. He scored the go-ahead goal on a shot from about 20 yards out off an assist from Stadelman to give the Raiders a 3-2 lead at 63:46.
Sugar River sophomore goalkeeper Alex Gocht had four saves and Anderson had two.
Belknap is confident the Raiders' best soccer is ahead of them.
"We have lost a lot of games we feel like we should have won," Belknap said. "I'm really excited for every game from now on."
