Bradley-Bourbonnais drops emotional conference match in penalty kicks against Andrew

In the final minute of an energizing match between Bradley-Bourbonnais and Andrew, Bradley-Bourbonnais goalkeeper Harrison Adams had to meet the moment.

There was no alternative.

In a 2-2 match, a handball was called inside the Boilermaker box, giving Andrew’s Khattab Jaradat a chance at his second goal of the night. His first was scored via a penalty kick. Here he had a chance at a second penalty-kick goal and the game-winning one with 46 seconds left in regulation.

Instead, Adams stayed down the middle as Jaradat’s kick ricocheted straight off his chest. After a couple of bounces and a kick out of bounds, Bradley-Bourbonnais had survived for the time being.

In that instant, elation overcame the Boilermakers’ sideline. They saw sparks draped with hope and a swell of momentum swing their way.

“It’s just a big lift. The boys and the team just love it,” Bradley-Bourbonnais head coach Andy Stembridge said. “For us it was just an emotional eruption.”

Indeed, there it was: resilience. Most importantly, a second chance for the Boilermakers to clinch their first conference win of the season.

After blowing a 1-0 lead at half and overcoming a 2-1 deficit in the 64th minute, surely this had to be a sign.

But the beautiful game taketh as quickly as it giveth.

The Boilermakers (3-8, 0-4 SWSC) went on to drop their third straight match 4-2 on penalties.

Boys Soccer: Bradley-Bourbonnais vs. Andrew Bradley-Bourbonnais goalkeeper Harrison Adams misses a penalty kick during the Boilermakers' 2-2 loss in penalty kicks to Andrew on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (Tiffany Blanchette/Tiffany Blanchette)

Andrew emphatically made all of the penalties it needed, while Bradley-Bourbonnais missed its first and fourth attempts, deflating all of the air out of what once was an animated Bradley-Bourbonnais sideline.

“It’s a tough loss, but we’re going to stay resilient,” junior Trey Lawrence said. “We’re going to keep getting better and hopefully win the next game.”

It was a stark contrast to the way the match had begun.

“It’s a roller coaster, up and down,” Stembridge said. “I’m just proud of the kids for the way they worked and withstood some of the chaos of this game.”

The first half was a battle of the midfield, with opportunities to score appearing few and far between. Yet the Boilermakers found themselves with more of those opportunities.

It culminated in a goal for junior midfielder Sebastian Sadulla, who scored in the 19th minute.

Even down 2-1 in the final 10 minutes of regulation, nothing was going to stop Bradley-Bourbonnais from staging a comeback of its own.

Boys Soccer: Bradley-Bourbonnais vs. Andrew Bradley-Bourbonnais' Alek Perkins prepares to attempt a header as Andrew goalkeeper Nonta Stamus misses the deflection during the Boilermakers' 2-2 loss in penalty kicks against Andrew on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (Tiffany Blanchette/Tiffany Blanchette)

They got their chance with four back-to-back corner kicks that were topped by Jack Martin’s parabola kick that found Lawrence for a header goal to tie the match.

“It was fast for sure,” Lawrence said. “But it was a great ball by Jack, and we got the job done in that moment.”

Ultimately, it was just a thrilling moment inside a ride full of highs and lows.

Much like the season itself.

Despite the self-imposed comeback, Stembridge said the game was ultimately lost early in the second half.

“We came out a little flat. I thought we were going to be a little bit more locked in,” he said. “They got in behind at times and caused us to chase after the ball, which made us disconnected.”

In 2026, the program has been defined by close losses. The Boilermakers have lost five games by one goal and two in penalty kicks.

“It can get frustrating, but the nice thing about our team is that they’ve been collective and they’ve been together,” Stembridge said. “It’s been a bit unlucky at times ... It’s just been a competitive season for us.”

Boys Soccer: Bradley-Bourbonnais vs. Andrew Bradley-Bourbonnais head coach Andy Stembridge watches a play during the Boilermakers' 2-2 loss in penalty kicks to Andrew on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (Tiffany Blanchette/Tiffany Blanchette)

There are still plenty of bright spots for the Boilermakers. Individual players like midfielder Cade Hill, defender Trenton Ward and defender Alek Perkins have consistently impressed.

“I think our record doesn’t really reflect the team we are,” Perkins said. “A lot of those losses have been really close. We’ve given our all in a lot of those losses. I just think we have to put it all together and we’ll be a good team.”

Freshman left back Micah Lanum has also burst on the scene, playing quality minutes Tuesday, sparking some plays offensively while playing smart ball with the back four.

Boys Soccer: Bradley-Bourbonnais vs. Andrew Bradley-Bourbonnais' Micah Lanum sends the ball up the sideline during the Boilermakers' 2-2 loss in penalty kicks to Andrew on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (Tiffany Blanchette/Tiffany Blanchette)

“A surprise in terms of how quickly he’s adjusted to playing at this level,” Stembridge said. “Really proud of him. And he just keeps rising.”

The Boilermakers will go to Homewood-Flossmoor on Thursday night for another conference opportunity.