U-18 girls finish 2nd

By Jim Lutgens, Tribune Sports Editor

BLAINE &045; There were some tears shed among members of the Albert Lea U-18 girls’ soccer team.

For some, it was frustration over coming so close to winning a state championship and falling just short.

For others, it was probably the reality of the very last game with their teammates.

For sure, it’s been a very good run for all of them.

The U-18 girls finished the 2003 season where every team would like to be: In the state tournament championship game at the National Sports Center in Blaine. They lost Friday night, 1-0 to Shakopee, and emotions ran high as they gathered on the field for the postgame medal presentation.

“It was hard,” said Amy Ravenhorst, one of nine players in their final year with the team. “I think everyone just wanted to win so bad. We played our hearts out. I probably wouldn’t have changed anything.”

It was the third meeting of the season between two every evenly matched teams. The first game was a 0-0 tie, and Albert Lea won the second 2-1.

It was just as close this time, with both teams getting a number of good scoring opportunities.

The only one that connected came early in the second half, when a Shakopee forward took a crossing pass and, with the defense out of position and goalie Liz Reynen shadowing the pass, knocked in the goal from a tough angle.

The Elks team showed some jitters early in the game, which was played exclusively in front of the Albert Lea net, but Reynen made some strong saves to keep it scoreless.

Once the locals got the ball in Shakopee’s end, they kept it there, but the result was the same. The teams traded several scoring opportunities before the first half ended 0-0.

Albert Lea controlled the action early in the second half, when both teams began to play more aggressively. Play became increasingly physical as time counted down on the game, season and, for some, their competitive soccer career.

Albert Lea’s best scoring chances came in the second half, but a Ravenhorst header was stopped by the goalie and a direct kick by Kelly Cook sailed just over the goal. The Elks team continued to apply pressure until the final whistle.

Coach Paul Marka addressed the team briefly before the awards presentations.

&uot;Be happy girls,&uot; he said. &uot;Second place, you did outstanding. You did outstanding this year. You guys played hard.&uot;

Marka said his team faced an outstanding opponent that’s coached by a native of Britain who plays professionally for the Minnesota Thunder.

&uot;It was an outstanding game,&uot; said Marka. &uot;A fun game to watch, even though we lost. Second place is fine. Everyone played well.&uot;

It was the fourth state tournament appearance for the team’s 18-year-olds, who include Cook, Ravenhorst, Reynen, Nikki Allard, Nicole Gilbertson, Steph Overgaard, Shawna Robertson, Sydney Staloch and Brie Woitas. Returning for next year will be Mandy Ardolf, Emily Bergstrom, Katie Dooley, Char Everhart, Amy Marka, Lacey Pederson, Brianne Plantage, Missy Reichl, Crystal Rentz, Emily Staloch and Katie Stenseth.

The team finished the season with a record of 9-3-1.