Heartbreak at McHardy

Lady Lynx lose shot at state soccer title in OT shootout

 

It was a heck of a game and a heck of a season for the Lady Lynx soccer team. And a heck of a heartbreak. 

For the first time in the program’s history, a Brandon Valley girls’ team reached the semifinals of the Class AA state championship. On Oct. 5 the Lynx lost to O’Gorman 4-3 in an overtime shootout at McHardy Park in Brandon.

BV headed into the post-season riding a 10-game winning streak, boasting nine consecutive shut-outs. The Lynx were confident in their chances, and coach Jacob Shoup presented a simple game-winning plan. BV followed it to a ‘T’ but were unable to punch in a single goal.

The first half presented balanced play, as the Lynx and the Knights tested each other’s game play. In the second half, BV proved to be the more aggressive team. But O’G goalie, Jillian Barkhus, and the Knights’ defense didn’t make it easy for the Lynx. BV’s defense held their own, too, by only allowing O’G four shots that BV goalkeeper Abby Bastian handily fended off. 

“They just didn’t give O’Gorman any light of day to get anything going,” Shoup said. 

Although the scoreless game resulted in a series of overtimes, Shoup was confident his team had the ability to sneak one by Barkhus in the shootout. 

With the weight of BV’s post-season future on her shoulders, Bastian stopped three of O’G’s four attempts at the Lynx goal. BV missed one to fall short in the disappointing 4-3 shootout ending.

“It was heartbreaking for our girls to lose in this fashion, since we were so close,” Shoup said. “To be honest, the hardest part was that we really didn’t feel like O’G had any business winning that game. We felt like we were in control from the start, so to lose in a shootout was tough.”

Despite the heart-breaking ending to their season, the Lady Lynx, who got off to a 1-4 start, have much to be proud of, as BV didn’t suffer another loss until last week’s state semifinal game.

“They never gave up when their backs were against the wall; they kept fighting,” Shoup said. 

BV finished the season on a 10-game shutout streak, not giving up a goal in 10 games. They even joked in their huddle after the loss that they still hadn’t given up a goal – it took a shootout to beat them.

“At the beginning of the year, I don’t think anybody gave us a chance to be that close to a championship game, so to get that far was pretty special. Seeing our girls react to their teammates in the shootout whether they missed or made it was one of my favorite sports memories as a player or coach, and it is something I will never forget,” Shoup said. 

“I’m so thankful for these girls and all that they have given me. This senior class was very special and they did everything in their power to make this a great year for everyone. We will miss them dearly and I will not only remember them as great soccer players, but most importantly amazing people. As we look ahead, we’ll definitely be a team to be reckoned with. I can’t wait to see what these girls can do in the years to come.

“It wasn’t the result that we wanted, but it was a heck of a game.”