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Addison Roberts -
Ileana Ferguson challenges for the ball -
Kylie Challis -
Camryn Hasselwander
The goalkeeper collected the shot into her chest, spawning jubilation on one sideline and heartbreak on the other.
The Deer Creek girls’ soccer team’s season ended in the first round of the playoffs after it lost a penalty shoutout to Mustang 5-4 Tuesday night at Deer Creek following a 0-0 draw.
Deer Creek (10-5) controlled both extra time periods but fell short in the shootout.
Mustang (12-4) clinched the win in the seventh round of penalties with goalkeeper Lily Hill’s save.
Deer Creek coach Jake Kurey said despite the result, he loved the way his team played.
“We were in a good place before the game to do what we did today and go out and dominate the game,” Kurey said. “Created a lot of chances. Both overtime periods, it was one-way traffic. We had them pinned in the whole time, just couldn’t get that finishing touch. That’s why soccer is a game that people love to hate sometimes. It’s just a tough way to lose. You had so many chances, and you felt like you dominated the game, but I’m proud of the kids, as always.”
For Mustang, Kyla Lovelace, Macy James, Presley Wackerly, Gabby Gray and Evelina Selph converted penalties.
Ella Pappas, Anna Branham, Camryn Hasselwander and Addison Roberts scored for the Lady Antlers.
Deer Creek had a chance to win in the fifth round after Hasselwander made a save, but the Lady Antlers were unable to convert.
Both teams produced chances throughout regulation and overtime, but few resulted in shots on target. Hill saved Deer Creek’s only shot with 25 seconds remaining in regulation. Hasselwander saved both Mustang shots, which came in the second half.
Her best save came a minute and a half into the second half when she knocked away a long-range shot aimed at the upper left corner.
Kurey said Hasselwander played great.
“She’s a solid goalkeeper, one of the best ones around,” Kurey said. “She held them out the entire game. We weren’t worried at all. When it comes to a shootout, what did we get to, the seventh kicker? Something like that. It’s a cruel game sometimes when it ends like that, but credit to Mustang, they put it in the back of the net on the last kick.”
Deer Creek’s best scoring chance may have come 3 minutes into the game. Anna Kerr navigated around the goalkeeper, but her first touch had sent the ball too far forward for her to catch up before it rolled out of play. The Lady Broncos had a chance a few minutes later but missed the net.
The Lady Antlers opened the second overtime period with three good opportunities but could not score the winner.
Kurey said the only thing he is upset with is the fact he does not get to spend more time with his players.
“We’ve enjoyed training all year long,” Kurey said. “We’ve enjoyed the games, the camaraderie. They’re (an) absolutely wonderful group of kids. Best group of kids I’ve worked with since I’ve been here at Deer Creek… We win games and we lose games, but what I’ll miss is just being around them in training every day. I wish we had another week or two.”