Barstow falls in Missouri Class 1 girls soccer state semifinal

For the first time in 20 matches, Barstow High School’s girls soccer team gave up three goals, and the timing couldn’t have been worse.

Saxony Lutheran dealt the Knights a 3-0 loss on Friday in a Missouri Class 1 state tournament semifinal at Blue Springs High School. It was the 18th consecutive victory for Saxony Lutheran.

It was a tough start to the second appearance ever by the Barstow girls’ soccer program in the Missouri Class 1 state semifinals.

“They are strong, they are physical and they are skilled,” Barstow coach Scott Huppe said of the Saxony Lutheran offense. “When they won the 50-50 balls, that was the biggest difference on their attacks. We made mistakes on those goals, but they kept pressing.”

Saxony Lutheran took an early lead with an unassisted goal from Logan Welker in the 21st minute. Then, moments later, teammate Brianna Mueller scored on a rocket that settled in the top left corner of the goal. Saxony Lutheran’s final goal came from Laurel Mueller, who assisted on Brianna’s earlier goal, in the 69th minute.

Barstow attempted just four shots in the match, compared to 15 for Saxony Lutheran. Barstow junior Bailey Childers, who leads the team with 31 goals, had three of the team’s four shots. Barstow goalkeeper Jane Velghe recorded seven saves in the match.

“We are good all the way around, but they were just a better team today. No doubt about it,” Huppe said.

Barstow, 15-3-2, will play for third place at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Blue Springs High School

This story was originally published June 5, 2015 at 4:26 PM with the headline "Barstow falls in Missouri Class 1 girls soccer state semifinal."