More than 40 former Fatima soccer players returned to the field on Friday for an evening of friendly competition, family connections, and fundraising, proving that some of the old Comets still have plenty of soccer left in them.

The annual alumni match brought together players spanning nearly two decades, with the former Comets defeating the 2026 Fatima boys’ team 6-0 before splitting into two alumni squads for another 40 minutes of competition.

Beyond the action on the field, the event raised money toward the purchase of new warm-ups for the current team, continuing a tradition that has brought generations of Fatima soccer players and their families together.

Coach Kelley-Marie Wibberg said the evening was another tremendous success, with the turnout demonstrating the lasting connections among former players and the program.

Several sets of brothers provided some of the night’s most entertaining moments, including Nathan and Landon Troesser, graduates of 2021 and 2018, respectively. The two combined on a play near the top of the penalty area, with Nathan finishing the sequence by putting the ball into the net.

Brothers Keegan Bauer (2013) and Kaleb Bauer (2015) also found the back of the net, scoring one goal apiece for the alumni. Other former Comets contributing goals were Tom Fick (2007) and John Loehner (2013).

For some families, the evening offered a chance for brothers to compete against one another, while others found themselves playing together again.

Fatima senior Paden Luebbert faced his brother, Richard Luebbert, a 2025 graduate, in another chapter of their sibling rivalry.

Sophomore David Sesti and freshman Carson Heimericks also matched up against their brothers for the first time. David faced Michael Sesti, a 2026 graduate, while Heimericks competed against Jacob Bax, a member of the Class of 2023.

The Koenigsfeld family of Frankenstein was particularly well represented.

Junior captain Caleb Koenigsfeld shared the field with his brother, Tyler Koenigsfeld, a 2025 graduate, while Eli Koenigsfeld (2026) and Cody Koenigsfeld (2024) had the opportunity to play on the same side for the first time in several years.

Their reunion came with an additional family twist, as the two competed against their mother, Assistant Coach Anne Koenigsfeld.

The family atmosphere extended beyond the players, with children cheering for their fathers, uncles, and family friends throughout the evening.

After the opening match, the alumni divided into two teams based on graduation years, with the 2008-16 graduates facing their younger counterparts from 2017-26.

This time, youth prevailed as the more recent graduates secured a 3-0 victory in the additional 40-minute contest.

Wibberg expressed appreciation to the Knights of Columbus, participating alumni, current players, and their families for helping make the evening possible.

While the alumni event provided a break from the regular competitive schedule, the Comets also used the lighter week to refocus on fundamentals and make adjustments ahead of postseason play.

With districts approaching, Wibberg and her players are concentrating on reinforcing the basics and preparing for the final stretch of the season, hoping to carry the program’s competitive tradition into another successful postseason.