KHS sports have had a lot of ups and downs this year, from close finishes, stunning losses or a little bit of both. Here are the top five most heartbreaking moments for a Pioneer sports fan of 2023
- Girl’s Field Hockey get Upset
With a conference championship, a 14-5 record and a win in the Gateway Classic tournament, KHS field hockey entered the state tournament with a bye and was seeded fifth. With 30 seconds left in the game, the state’s highest goal scorer got a breakaway then a KHS defender went after the ball causing both to fall to the ground, causing the ref to call a stroke penalty. The Lancers placed the ball in the back of the net ending the Pioneers season with a 3-2 loss.
- KHS Football vs. Lindbergh High School
Rolling into KHS football’s sixth game of the year they were riding high, with a record of 4-1 and a four-game winning streak. All they had to do was win the rest of their regular season games for the opportunity to win their district for the one seed and a bye. Coming into the game as favorites, they allowed 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter into an eventual loss, 28-24. This would prove to be detrimental with their seeding and matchup in the playoffs.
- KHS vs CBC x2
CBC has proven to be Kirkwood’s kryptonite during multiple team’s seasons in the 2023 calendar year. Varsity baseball entered district playoffs beating Pattonville en route to CBC in the second round. Kirkwood led 5-2 going into the fifth inning before disaster struck. CBC scored five runs over the next two innings, leading to a 7-5 CBC victory. Following KHS’ football team’s loss to Lindbergh, it placed them in a first round matchup against the Cadets for the second straight year. Kirkwood kept it close through halftime before CBC finally pulled away, ending the Pioneers’ season again.
- KHS vs. De Smet
After losing to SLUH 3-0 the day before, KHS’ hockey team needed to defeat De Smet in order to get their lick back against the Junior Billikens. KHS had defeated the Spartans a week prior, 6-2, and came in the game as the favorites. Through the three periods were back and forth, De Smet with 26 shots and KHS with 24. Neither team scored until overtime, when De Smet placed one in the back of the net for a trip to the championship.
- KHS Basketball vs. Jackson for the district
After a 22-2 regular season finish, two tournament championships and the number one seed in the district Kirkwood went into the game against Jackson. After outscoring opponents 131-61 in the first two district games, no one could’ve expected what was about to occur. In the battle between Principal Dr. Seth Harrell’s old school and his new one (notice what school he is at now), it all came down to a final second shot for Kirkwood. In heartbreaking fashion, the shot missed giving Jackson the victory over the Pioneers, 39-37.
