Kearney High School's Reese Holscher v. Omaha Marian // NRG Media Central Nebraska Today Photos by Rick Tucker Kearney High vs Marian
OMAHA – Despite leading for seventy-five minutes in regulation, the up-start Kearney Girls Soccer team fell in their State Championship Class A Quarterfinal to No. 2 Omaha Marian in a shootout on Monday afternoon. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
No. 7 Kearney ends their season at 14-4 overall after claiming the Class A wildcard to enter into the state tournament. The Bearcats fell in back-to-back games to end their season, with their A-5 District Championship loss coming against Millard West in a shootout.
Marian (17-1) moves on to the semifinals on Friday at Morrison Stadium, taking on No. 3 Lincoln Pius X after the Thunderbolts took down Columbus in an overtime shootout Monday.
The Bearcats played spoiler throughout the first stretch of the contest, with the first strike coming from Kearney’s Molli Kalsbeck (16′) knocking down a goal in the first half off an assist by sophomore forward Claire Karjalainen.
Molli Kalsbeck, Kearney High School Girls Soccer v. Omaha Marian // NRG Media Central Nebraska Today
Photos by Rick Tucker
Kearney High vs Marian
Kearney would hold the lead throughout the first half and deep into the second half. However, Marian continued to pour on shot attempt after shot attempt towards the Bearcat net but was shut out by Kearney’s keeper Kadi Ecklund. At the end of the half, the upset-minded Bearcats led 1-0.
Marian’s Anna Bragg added multiple shots towards the goal in the second half with the wind turning to the home team’s back, as the second-leading scorer in the state was shut out of the contest with a goal. However, Marian’s multiple corner kicks and attempts finally broke through with Paige Miller striking with four minutes remaining in regulation. Ending regulation, Kearney and Marian headed to overtime tied at 1-1.
After two ten minute overtime periods, the score remained locked at a single score tie. Both teams prepared for the incoming shootout at Morrison Stadium.
Marian would edge Kearney in the shootout 3-1, as both the Crusaders and Bearcats would miss the first attempts and make the second, but Kearney would fail to knock in another shot.
For a full photo gallery from Rick Tucker, click here.
