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Jessica Helm -
Annika Lynn (8) and Abigail Bell (3) -
Brenna Rowlett -
Lexi Scott (26) with (3) -
Londyn Lawrence
A quick two-goal blitz right before halftime was enough to bring a great season to a close.
The Oklahoma Christian School girls’ soccer team fell in the state semifinals to Verdigris 2-0 in Edmond on Tuesday night.
OCS (15-2) dominated the first 20 minutes of the game but could not overcome a rough end to the first half.
Verdigris (16-2) is headed to the state championship game for the 10th time in the past 12 seasons.
OCS coach Jeff Stone said the Lady Saints can learn from the experience.
“We’ve never been this far,” Stone said. “We’re learning. Verdigris, give it to them. They’re a great team, great program. They have a lot of history in the playoffs. A lot of tradition. I’m grateful that we got to play them.”
Verdigris senior Lauren Bulcroft scored both goals. She scored her first with 5:50 to play until halftime, then doubled the lead just over two minutes later.
OCS had dominated the first part of the game, with the ball rarely at the foot of a Lady Cardinal. Verdigris sophomore goalkeeper Lillian Adams made two saves during that time to keep OCS off the scoreboard. The Lady Saints also had a near miss just over 11 minutes into the game.
The only shot on target by Verdigris came on a long-range free kick just over 34 minutes in.
As the game wore on, the Lady Cardinals got more and more involved in the game and forced another save with just under 10 minutes to play in the half.
Stone said the shift in momentum was a result of the team’s youth. The Lady Saints had 21 freshmen and sophomores with only three seniors.
“We just got to get more consistent,” Stone said. “Because we’re young, sometimes we’re inconsistent at some things. But they’re fine, they played well. I’m very proud of them.”
Verdigris remained in control throughout the second half as OCS failed to generate another shot on target. Freshman goalkeeper Hadley Watson made three saves in the second half to keep OCS in it, but the Lady Cardinals defended well enough to see the game out.
Stone said because of the team’s youth, he is confident OCS will be back in a similar position next season. He said he hopes the seniors remember the life lessons and Christian messages they learned during their time at OCS.
“Sports is just parallel to life,” Stone said. “It’s a good tool to use to learn. Sometimes it’s tough, and yet God’s with you through those times, too… Those kinds of lessons I hope they remember.”