Lady Pioneers Bounced from Post Season

The Lady Pioneers’ season came to an end tonight as the St. Henry Crusaders came out on top in the 9th Region final by a score of 2-1 in overtime. SK got on the board first when Jillian Russell nailed a nice shot with 25 minutes left in the first half. The lead would hold up until just 8 minutes to go in the second half when St. Henry got off a quick goal for the tying score. With the score tied at 1 at the conclusion of regulation, it meant that the teams were going to play 2 ten minute periods of overtime to completion. St. Henry would score the winning goal with just under 3 minutes to go in the first 10 minutes of the overtime periods.

I really struggled for what to write here tonight. Writing about plays and giving commentary doesn’t really do a lot of justice to the game. SK left everything they had on the field and played with everything they had. Leaving everything you have on the field is an overused cliché but the girls were spent. All of the running, playing and hard work that started in mid July always seems to come out in the agony caused by defeat.

Honestly, there weren’t a lot of people who gave the Lady Pioneers must chance in this game. However, SK had several chances that just didn’t bounce their way. There was one ball that everybody watching the game will still be wondering tomorrow if there was an SK goal. The ball bounced off of the crossbar more than once on the series of plays. Another ball bounced off the St. Henry keeper, and instead of rolling in the net, bounced off the corner post. Not to take anything away from St. Henry, because they played hard as well, but the game came down to inches and just a couple of unlucky bounces for SK.

Losses in overtime like this sting. Regional games for SK during the last three years have involved overtime. No doubt the Lady Pioneers have felt the cornucopia of emotions associated with the final outcomes of these games. One of the players summed it up best when she said as good as I felt when we beat Ryle in overtime last year, I feel just as disappointed on the other side of my emotions tonight.

Team, congratulations on your strong showing in the Regional Tourney. Seniors, remember that sports and this game are great teachers and what life’s lessons you learned from playing for this team. I personally want to say thank you. It has been enjoyable watching, photographing, writing, cheering and for several of you, coaching you for so many years.

Marc

Jill Russell had an awesome tournament.


Stacey Lankheit with several nice saves tonight.