Fatima’s JV boys soccer team picked up its first win of the season Monday during a night that meant considerably more than the final result as the Comets partnered with the American Cancer Society of Missouri for the Comets vs. Cancer fundraiser against Cap City.

Fans joined the competition at halftime during a minute-to-win-it challenge, with players collecting donations from their respective crowds for one minute. Fatima won the challenge and a new game ball after Comet supporters contributed $278 during the minute.

On the field, Fatima and Cap City battled through regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods before the Comets prevailed in a penalty-kick shootout.

Fatima held Cap City scoreless through the first half before the Cavaliers scored after halftime on a ball that sailed over the Comet defense.

Senior Paden Luebbert quickly supplied the answer, scoring from outside the Cap City 18-yard box into the lower far corner to tie the game 1-1.

Neither team scored again through the remainder of regulation or the two overtime periods, sending the match to penalty kicks.

Luebbert stopped three of Cap City’s four attempts in the shootout, while Will Borgmeyer, Luebbert and Caleb Koenigsfeld converted their chances for Fatima.

“I’m incredibly proud of this team and the way they battled to earn their first win of the season,” said Fatima coach Kelley-Marie Wibberg. “The players have continued to work hard, stay positive, and trust the process, and it was great to see that effort pay off.”

The victory gives the Comets some momentum and confidence as district play approaches, Wibberg said.

“We know the competition will be tough, but if we continue to play for each other, compete for 80 minutes, and build on what we’ve learned, I like where we’re headed,” Wibberg said. “I’m proud of this group and excited to see what we can accomplish moving forward.”

Captain Caleb Koenigsfeld credited Fatima’s bench with helping the Comets get through the lengthy match.

“The game was a well-fought game, and it took a lot of teamwork to make it through,” Koenigsfeld said. “The subs really stepped up and helped hold the score for our players to get a rest. You know it’s a good game when you make it to penalty kicks.”

Fatima faced a much different challenge Thursday against Boonville, falling 8-0 in varsity action while the JV Comets lost 1-0.

The varsity Comets held the Pirates scoreless through the opening 20 minutes before Boonville built a 3-0 halftime advantage.

Fatima continued working through passing combinations in an effort to break through the Pirate defense, with Patrick, David and Woody each recording shots, but the Comets were unable to find the net.

Boonville kept Fatima’s goalkeepers busy throughout the match. Luebbert finished with 31 saves, and Borgmeyer added two, while Caleb, Garrett and Troy also recorded saves.

In the JV match, Luebbert took a shot, and Carson recorded six saves in the 1-0 loss.