WATERMAN – The Oregon girls soccer team ended its season with a 2-1 loss to Stillman Valley in the Class 1A Indian Creek Sectional semifinals on Saturday.
The loss was heartbreaking for Oregon coach Seeger Larson, who had an 18-1 regular season record, beating the Cardinals 4-1 (18-4).
“We were the better team, but they wanted it more,” Larson said. “We had more chances (shots on goal).”
After a scoreless first half, Stillman Valley scored goals in the 6th and 22nd minutes of the second half to overwhelm the Hawks and take a 2-0 lead.
“Our defense wasn't ready,” Larson said.
The first goal was scored by Harley Wallin and assisted by Grace Costello. Wallin appeared to be planning a pass, but he opted for a long shot that eluded goalkeeper Miri Zaval.
“I think we surprised their goalie,” Stillman Valley coach Erin McMaster said.
For the second goal, Costello controlled the ball in midfield and dribbled his way towards goal. Amelia Dunseth took a shot toward the goal, and the shot grazed Emelia Winstead's hip for a 2-0 lead.
Strictly speaking, this score is credited to Winstead. Still, it would have gone into the net had it not been hit by Winstead.
“Getting out to a 2-0 lead put a lot of pressure on Oregon State,” McMaster said.
With 14 minutes left in the game, Anna Stender scored a goal off an assist from Sarah Eckerd, giving Oregon a lifeline. The play energized the Hawk crowd and team, and Larson could be heard saying, “We're still in this situation.”
With 2:30 remaining, the ball spilled near the Stillman Valley net, but no one from Oregon State could take a shot until Thadda Hughes grabbed the ball. With a minute left Eckardt took a crucial shot from the side, but Hughes covered it.
“Our goalie was very focused,” McMaster said. She has improved significantly. ”
Last time Stillman Valley lost to Oregon, it was foreign exchange student Deb Schmidt who caused the most damage. This time, McMaster had a plan to keep Oregon's leading scorer in check.
“She was really receptive to us, but we weren't ready,” McMaster said. “I decided to be sure to be with her today.''
The big disappointment for Larson was the Hawks' slow start.
“They wanted to control the ball more than we did,” Larson said. “We weren't anticipating the ball, we weren't getting forward with passes. We needed to be more aggressive in the first half.”
Toward the end of the first half, Stender broke free, but Cynthia Estrada-Rodriguez defended. Estrada Rodriguez was the last line of defense in front of Stillman Valley's goalie and stood over Oregon State players every time they approached.
“She's our best defender,” McMaster said. “She's smart, she's quick, she can play angles.”
With two minutes left in the first half, Stender had Oregon's biggest chance of the game so far, but it was thwarted by a stingy Cardinal defense.
Midway through the second half, trailing 1-0, Oregon's Teagan Champly took an open shot on goal, but Hughes placed his body directly in the ball's path to make the save. Kenna Ubbena's shot also hit the crossbar.
“We weren't able to execute our strategy,” Larson said.
In the other semifinal, Rock Island Aleman defeated Byron 4-1.