McCutcheon girls soccer falls short in regional final

The McCutcheon girls’ soccer team couldn’t get a break Saturday afternoon in the Class 2A Logansport Regional finals against No. 2 Hamilton Southeastern – on the field or with the weather.

A slippery ball contributed to one goal as steady rain slowed play in the Mavericks' 2-0 loss to the Royals. It was the same score by which McCutcheon lost to Hamilton Southeastern during Hoosier Crossroads Conference play.

“It was the identical score, and unfortunately, the same outcome,” McCutcheon coach Jason Donkersloot said. “The girls did what we asked them to do today, which was to play tough and play their hearts out. They played with a lot of determination, and you really can’t ask for anything more out of them.”

Though McCutcheon kept the Royals off the scoreboard for most of the day, the Mavericks were outshot 9-3 in the game and 5-0 in the first half.

The game’s big score came with 27:50 left to play. Jessica Miller booted a corner kick to the front of the McCutcheon goal. Mavericks goalie Ashley Reed blocked the attempt, but couldn’t hold on to the ball. Kirsten Timmons booted in the loose ball for the score.

“We hadn’t given McCutcheon very many shots on goal, or any up to that point, so we knew if we could just get one in the back of the net we would be able to hold it,” Hamilton Southeastern coach Greg Davidson said. “McCutcheon had been playing well and holding some of the best teams in our conference to 2-0, so a lot of respect goes to them.”

Hamilton Southeastern got its second goal with 3:25 left to play when Miller headed in a corner kick from Rachel Sweet.

“We gave up both of our goals off corner kicks,” Donkersloot said. “Those are always tricky, and you have to watch those set pieces. Outside of that, we did what we had to do on the field to shut them down. We really didn’t give them any good looks on the field.”

McCutcheon captain Megan Albregts said McCutcheon’s pressure defense helped neutralize Hamilton Southeastern’s offense most the match, allowing the Mavericks to stay within striking distance until the final minutes.

“I know all of the girls on the team really wanted this,” Albregts said. “Our defense plays in your face, and we just wanted to play the best we possibly could. Our defensive pressure helped us do as well as we did. Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce the way you want it to.”

McCutcheon’s best chance to score came with about 13:40 left to play, when Elizabeth Burton was able to beat a Hamilton Southeastern defender downfield for a shot inside the penalty box. Royals goalie Jasmine Smith made a sliding save.

“That was McCutcheon’s only real shot to score against us, and that was dangerous,” Davidson said. “In that instance, our goalie came up huge for us.”

Donkersloot said that goal could have swung the momentum in McCutcheon’s favor toward the end of the game.

“We thought we were going to get it,” Donkersloot said. “Their goalie made a good slide and was able to read which way Burton was going with the ball.

“This was a great season for us, and we will build on this.”