It’s never easy to lose the last match of the season. It’s even tougher when the loss comes in overtime on a questionable offsides no-call, but that’s the way the season came to a close for the Idaho soccer team.
Courtesy | WAC
Idaho senior forward Chelsea Small goes in for a tackle against a Texas State player Thursday at the WAC Tournament in Logan, Utah. Small is one of 10 seniors on this season’s squad.
After battling to win two of their final three matches to secure a spot in the WAC Tournament, Idaho fell 2-1 in overtime to No. 3 Texas State Thursday in the tournament’s first quarterfinal match in Logan, Utah.
After the Vandals won their quarterfinal match against San Jose State last season — the program’s first tournament victory — coach Pete Showler and his group of 10 seniors expected the same result this tournament, if not more.
Showler said losing like the Vandals did can only be described as heartbreaking.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of the girls than I am right now. We came out in the first half and played fantastic,” Showler said, “These last couple weeks we’ve come out hungry and got after teams from the start, so for Katie to score early and give us that lead is great.”
The afternoon started as positive as a match can for the Vandals, with sophomore midfielder Katie Baran lashing home a 20-yard strike past Bobcat keeper Natalie Gardini in the third minute to give Idaho the 1-0 lead. The goal was Baran’s fourth of the season and 15th overall point, which ranks her second on the team only behind senior forward Chelsea Small in both categories.
Showler said it has been easy this season to focus on losing 10 seniors, but players like Baran are right for the program both now and moving forward.
“Katie’s always going to be the first to admit that she’s got a lot to learn and work on in her game, but when she steps on the pitch she leaves everything out there,” Showler said. “She has some aspects of her game that just can’t be coached — her pride, passion and will are things that any coach would kill to have.”
Texas State grabbed their equalizing goal with one minute before halftime, as junior midfielder Kelsie Townsend broke free and scored past Idaho senior goalkeeper Liz Boyden.
In the second half, the Bobcats imposed their style of play on the Vandals, sending long balls over the top of Vandal defenders and putting pressure on the Idaho backline, resulting in 15 Texas State shots in the half. The Bobcats took 18 shots on the afternoon, compared to the Vandals’ 15. Idaho led in the corner kick and saves categories, tallying four corners and five saves.
The Vandals did have one last opportunity as they drew a foul 20 yards from goal. Small stepped up to take the free kick, which sailed
over the crossbar. A final Texas State shot from Townsend fell comfortably into Boyden’s arms and the full-time whistle blew.
Showler said that when the match went into overtime, he knew it was anyone’s game.
“Going into the overtime, we had the tenacity to win and we created the chances early in the period,” Showler said. “It’s a bitter way for the seniors to finish and the team to finish, but we had ample opportunities to finish — but it’s always a tough pill to swallow. A lot of stuff was taken out of their control today which they cannot affect. Our girls deserved more.”
Overtime started out with exciting opportunities for both sides as the Vandals earned an early corner kick which led to three close-range chances — none of which Idaho could finish.
The breakthrough moment for the Bobcats came in the 97th minute, when freshman forward Lynsey Curry scored on a breakaway, although she appeared to be two yards offside when the ball was played to her. There was no flag from the assistant referee, though, and the goal stood, giving the Bobcats the victory on the overtime “Golden Goal” rule.
Showler said that the season was a rollercoaster for him and the team, but he was thrilled with the effort and camaraderie that the side built this season.
“I don’t think we could have argued if by the end they were 2-1 up or if it was the other way, too. It was box to box action and I can’t fault our effort, but commend it,” Showler said. “Its hard to end the season with a loss like that, but the most important thing about this team, coaches and everyone involved in the program is that we leave no stone unturned to be the best that we can be and that’s what makes this the best team there is.”
Madison McCord can be reached at [email protected]