June 24 (1956)

A remarkable string of successes for St. Louis in the U.S. Junior Cup over the next 25 years begins with St. Engelbert’s defeating Heidelberg (Pa.), 1-0, in the national championship game at Public Schools Stadium. George Endler, who scored two overtime goals to lift St. Engelbert’s to victory in the semifinal, strikes again with 12 minutes remaining. A first-half downpour, followed by steady rain, makes playing the ball a tricky proposition, as Endler demonstrates on his goal. Heidelberg’s Don Nowakowski miskicks as he tries to clear the ball, which slides into the goal area. “Endler pounced on it and tapped it into the far corner of the goal,” U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame journalist Dent McSkimming will write in the next day’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The victory marks the third time a St. Louis team takes the U.S. Junior Cup. St. Louis teams will win 17 more over the next 25 years.