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GLIDE — Molly Christmann spent most of the game making saves as the goalkeeper for the Riverdale girls soccer team in its Class 4A/3A/2A/1A first-round playoff game with Glide on Saturday afternoon.
But the junior was able to contribute on offense at the end, scoring the third and game-clinching penalty kick goal in the shootout as the Mavericks eliminated the Wildcats 2-1 (3-1 PK) on a muddy Glide field.
Riverdale (6-6-2), the No. 3 seed out of District 8, advances to a second-round game at District 6 champion St. Mary's of Medford (13-1) on Tuesday. Glide, the No. 2 team from District 3, finishes its season 7-3-3.
Riverdale, a school in southwest Portland, got penalty kick conversions from Lucy Parkin, Isabel Jones and Christmann in the shootout. Glide goalkeeper Rachel Hawkins stopped the first attempt by Taylor Penner-Ash, then Shelby Heidrick whipped a kick past Christmann into the right side of the net to give the Wildcats the brief edge.
But Whitney Starnes, Andrea Weber and Emma Huglen were unable to convert for Glide, and Christmann's score ended the contest.
“I was thinking ‘just make it.' I wanted it to be over, it was getting a little chilly out there,” Christman said. “I knew I could do it.”
“Molly's our team. If she wasn't our goalie, she'd be one of the best field players,” said Riverdale coach Nick Yoder. “There's no one I'd rather have taking the last shot than her.”
It was an evenly-played battle by the two clubs in slippery conditions. The Wildcats held a 21-15 advantage in shots-on-goal.
“It was a great game,” said Glide coach Dana Croll. “If you're a fan on either side it could've gone either way. The field was nasty, but both teams adapted to it. I think our kids played with all their heart, but we came up a little short at the end.”
Glide freshman Charity Walker opened the scoring in the 19th minute, finding the back of the net off an assist from Heidrick. The ball appeared to deflect off Riverdale's Anna Erlandson.
The Mavericks evened the score in the 29th minute on a goal from Ellie Ware. There was no scoring for the remainder of regulation and in the two 10-minute overtime periods, though the Wildcats had a handul of close misses in the second half.
“I know it stinks we lost, but nobody on our team left any regrets on the field,” Walker said. “We all played hard. It was hard, the field was so muddy. I know we wanted it, but a couple of opportunities slid by us.”
Heidrick, a team captain along with Kayla Rushby, agreed.
“I'm really proud of the girls for standing strong and not giving in,” she said. “It was a fight until the end. The field conditions were horrible. It was so hard to get planted in the ground ... it was hard to keep up the intensity and momentum when you were running.”
Everyone on the Glide side agreed it was a successful season. Among the highlights was a 1-0 win over defending league champion Brookings. The Wildcats lose six seniors, including Heidrick, Rushby and Starnes.
“Even though we lost, I told the whole team how excited I was,” Heidrick said. “The younger players made it a great year for the seniors.”
• You can reach Sports Editor Tom Eggers at 957-4220 or by e-mail at teggers@nrtoday.com
But the junior was able to contribute on offense at the end, scoring the third and game-clinching penalty kick goal in the shootout as the Mavericks eliminated the Wildcats 2-1 (3-1 PK) on a muddy Glide field.
Riverdale (6-6-2), the No. 3 seed out of District 8, advances to a second-round game at District 6 champion St. Mary's of Medford (13-1) on Tuesday. Glide, the No. 2 team from District 3, finishes its season 7-3-3.
Riverdale, a school in southwest Portland, got penalty kick conversions from Lucy Parkin, Isabel Jones and Christmann in the shootout. Glide goalkeeper Rachel Hawkins stopped the first attempt by Taylor Penner-Ash, then Shelby Heidrick whipped a kick past Christmann into the right side of the net to give the Wildcats the brief edge.
But Whitney Starnes, Andrea Weber and Emma Huglen were unable to convert for Glide, and Christmann's score ended the contest.
“I was thinking ‘just make it.' I wanted it to be over, it was getting a little chilly out there,” Christman said. “I knew I could do it.”
“Molly's our team. If she wasn't our goalie, she'd be one of the best field players,” said Riverdale coach Nick Yoder. “There's no one I'd rather have taking the last shot than her.”
It was an evenly-played battle by the two clubs in slippery conditions. The Wildcats held a 21-15 advantage in shots-on-goal.
“It was a great game,” said Glide coach Dana Croll. “If you're a fan on either side it could've gone either way. The field was nasty, but both teams adapted to it. I think our kids played with all their heart, but we came up a little short at the end.”
Glide freshman Charity Walker opened the scoring in the 19th minute, finding the back of the net off an assist from Heidrick. The ball appeared to deflect off Riverdale's Anna Erlandson.
The Mavericks evened the score in the 29th minute on a goal from Ellie Ware. There was no scoring for the remainder of regulation and in the two 10-minute overtime periods, though the Wildcats had a handul of close misses in the second half.
“I know it stinks we lost, but nobody on our team left any regrets on the field,” Walker said. “We all played hard. It was hard, the field was so muddy. I know we wanted it, but a couple of opportunities slid by us.”
Heidrick, a team captain along with Kayla Rushby, agreed.
“I'm really proud of the girls for standing strong and not giving in,” she said. “It was a fight until the end. The field conditions were horrible. It was so hard to get planted in the ground ... it was hard to keep up the intensity and momentum when you were running.”
Everyone on the Glide side agreed it was a successful season. Among the highlights was a 1-0 win over defending league champion Brookings. The Wildcats lose six seniors, including Heidrick, Rushby and Starnes.
“Even though we lost, I told the whole team how excited I was,” Heidrick said. “The younger players made it a great year for the seniors.”
• You can reach Sports Editor Tom Eggers at 957-4220 or by e-mail at teggers@nrtoday.com
