Lee’s Summit girls take third in Missouri Class 4 state soccer
As many opportunities as Lee’s Summit created in the first half while trailing by a goal, it was only a matter of time before the Tigers capitalized against Cor Jesu in the third-place game of the Missouri Class 4 girls soccer championships.
Lee’s Summit tied the game 1-1 late in the first half and continued that momentum early in the second half, getting goals from sophomore Isabelle Shackelford and junior Abby Groom in the first 6 minutes.
The defense did the rest as the Tigers came away with a 4-1 victory on Saturday afternoon at Swope Soccer Village.
Lee’s Summit ended the season 24-2, and its third-place finish was the highest ever for the girls’ soccer program.
After falling in the semifinals, Lee’s Summit coach David Wiebenga challenged the players not to lose two times in a row this season. Despite giving up a goal in the opening part of the first half, the Tigers showed their will to win.
“I am super proud of them and the way they fought,” Wiebenga said. “They had a story to write of possibly walking away from here as the most decorated team in school history for the women’s soccer program. It was on them. I really challenged them at halftime to go get three goals and do something special, and they stepped up to the challenge.
“We are already looking forward to next year. We are sad to see our four seniors to go. They have been fantastic leaders. I can’t say enough about them.”
Lee’s Summit shook of the goal by Cor Jesu senior Kelsey Doerr 12 minutes into the match and went on the attack.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, sophomore Kayla Deaver hit a shot that went wide right by a couple of feet. Four minutes later, Deaver hit a shot off the cross bar.
The Tigers didn’t get frustrated. They kept attacking, and with 2:50 remaining in the first half they were rewarded with a goal by Deaver that tied the game.
“At the beginning of the game we were kind of flat,” Groom said. “Around the second part of the first half, we started to pick it up, and the shots started falling in.”
Lee’s Summit wasted no time taking the lead, scoring on Shackelford’s goal with 36 minutes left in the second half. Two minutes later, the Tigers increased their lead on the goal by Groom.
This story was originally published June 4, 2016 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Lee’s Summit girls take third in Missouri Class 4 state soccer."