Sept. 18 7:00 p.m. at the high school stadium the boys soccer team will kick-off against their longtime rivals, Clayton High School. 

A few years ago, the Ladue head coach, David Aronberg, and the Clayton head coach came together to create a special trophy for the winning team.

“We call it the ‘Innerbelt,’” Aronberg said. “There’s an actual wrestling belt that they bring to the game. The boys have not won it yet.”

Last year, the team was ahead of Clayton 1-0 with less than a minute left when Clayton scored a penalty kick to tie the game. The Ladue team ended up losing in penalty kicks, so there is more to play for this year. 

“[It was] very frustrating, especially because last year’s team won state,” Aronberg said. “They still remember that we didn’t beat MICDS and Clayton.”

The boys are focused on beating their rivals this year as payback for last year’s unfortunate loss. Coming off of a 6-0 win against MICDS, despite losing to them in penalty kicks as well last year, they are ready to compete again. 

“I think [to have success] we need to go out as a group and not a bunch of individuals,” midfielder and co-captain Jack Scheffel (12) said. 

Both the Ladue and Clayton’s communities come together around these games to cheer on the student-athletes. There are often nearly 300 fans present supporting each team, creating an electric environment.

“[Having fans there] is super fun because for club there’s not a ton of supporters [at those games], but it’s like a community here,” Scheffel said. 

With construction at the usual game location, the Fifth Grade Center, all fall games will take place at the high school stadium. Big games such as this one will have the stakes raised due to a higher chance of a large fan turnout.  

“When we play at the high school for those games, we like being on the side with the fans because you can feel that energy,” Aronberg said. “When you’re on the other side, you’re so far away. You don’t get the same sort of [feelings].”

Games like this can get very intense, both physically and emotionally, so it is important for the players to stay engaged.  

“It does not matter how good each team is,” Aronberg said. “There are years where we are the far superior team, or Clayton is, but both teams get so amped up that it’s always going to be a close game.”