SPEARFISH, S.D. — Getting knocked down was not the story Friday afternoon.
Getting back up was.
The Spearfish Spartans opened a new season and a new era under Head Coach Anthony Bradley with a 2-1 victory over the Tea Area Titans at the Black Hills Power Sports Complex, showing the kind of response Bradley hopes will define his team in 2026.
After finishing 3-10-1 a season ago, Spearfish began its new campaign 1-0 behind two goals from Brooks Meyer, including the game-winner with just over two minutes remaining.
For a program looking to turn the page, the way the Spartans earned the victory may have been just as important as the result.
Scoreless First Half Sets the Stage
Neither team could gain much separation during a competitive opening 40 minutes.
Spearfish and Tea Area traded scoring opportunities throughout the first half, with both teams generating shots on goal but neither finding a way onto the scoreboard. The Spartans showed an ability to maintain possession, create pressure and withstand Tea Area’s opportunities as the teams went into halftime tied, 0-0.
The first major test of Spearfish’s new mindset came early in the second half.
Tea Area was awarded a penalty kick, and the Titans converted it with 32:32 remaining to take a 1-0 lead.
A year ago, that type of moment could have changed the complexion of a game for Spearfish. The Spartans struggled to recover when they fell behind during their 3-10-1 campaign.
Friday offered the first opportunity to find out whether this year’s group would respond differently.
They more than responded.
“That’s been something we’ve been focusing on. It’s the next touch, next play,” Bradley said. “If you make a mistake, just keep playing. Don’t get down on yourself and stay committed to what we do.”
Meyer Brings Spearfish Back
Instead of allowing the early deficit to dictate the rest of the match, Spearfish continued to push.
That persistence paid off with 18:19 remaining when Meyer found the back of the net to pull the Spartans even at 1-1.
With the match tied, neither side backed away.
Spearfish and Tea Area continued exchanging shots on goal as the clock wound down, and the possibility of opening the season with a draw appeared increasingly likely.
Meyer had other plans.
With just over two minutes remaining, Meyer struck again, scoring his second goal of the afternoon to give Spearfish its first lead of the match, 2-1.
This time, the Spartans only had to protect it.
Spearfish made the necessary defensive stops over the final minutes, keeping Tea Area off the board and securing Bradley’s first victory as the Spartans’ head coach.
A Different Kind of Start
One match does not define a season, but Friday’s opener provided an early glimpse of what Bradley is trying to build in Spearfish.
The Spartans were tested. They surrendered the first goal. They had an opportunity to get discouraged.
Instead, they stayed committed to the next touch and the next play.
The result was a comeback victory and a 1-0 start for a program that won three matches all of last season.
Meyer supplied the scoring with both Spearfish goals, but the Spartans needed a complete-team response to overcome the second-half deficit and finish the job defensively.
Now, there is little time to celebrate.
Spearfish returns to action Saturday, Aug. 15, when the Spartans face Aberdeen Central at home.
For the first time in 2026, they will take the field with a perfect record—and with some early evidence that when adversity arrives, this year’s Spartans may respond differently.