​Eagles show defensive chops, toughness in 1-0 win over Blue Springs

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 
 
SEDALIA, Mo. – The Blue Springs girls soccer team consistently plays physical.
 
That’s why Grain Valley head coach and his No. 2-seeded Eagles knew they needed to match the Wildcats’ physicality in the first round of the Class 4 District 6 Tournament Tuesday at Sedalia Smith-Cotton High School.
 
Back line players like juniors Aubrie Henson, Avery Stumpenhaus and Taylor Nicholson; and senior Isabel Lopez played a physical style of defense and had numbers behind the ball throughout the contest, which made it difficult for Blue Springs to generate scoring opportunities.
 
The Eagles’ hard-nosed defense and a goal from senior Ally Gilbert was enough to help the team advance and take a 1-0 victory.
 
Grain Valley will take on No. 3 seed Columbia Rock Bridge, who defeated Columbia Hickman 4-2 in their first-round game, in the semifinals at 6 p.m. today at Smith-Cotton High School.
 
“We showed a lot of effort and grit,” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis said. “I thought we were really tough to get by. They moved Hazel (Trotman) up and she’s a really good player and really dynamic. I thought we defended her really well and some of their other players with speed really well.
 
“I thought we were more physical this time than the last time we played them.”
 
Grain Valley’s defense made things a little easier on goalkeeper Alayna Maybell, who had five saves, with most of them being hit right at her.
 
The defense was especially important in the second half when Blue Springs had a strong wind behind their back. The Wildcats’ last best shot to score came midway through the second half when sophomore Adelyn Karst blasted a 35-yarder, but Maybell was in the perfect position to make a save.
 
“We were really calm and collected,” Lopez said. “We didn’t let them turn and made sure we knew where they were going. We made sure to mark the high target so they couldn’t get past us.”
 
Following the game, Lewis awarded Lopez with the bedazzled “Most Valuable Player” soccer ball for her toughness.
 
“Izzy has a really high IQ and she knows where to be,” Lewis said. “She’s super athletic. She’s fast and recovers really well. Her close-down speed is really fast. And she does a good job using her body to shield people off.”
 
Gilbert scored the lone goal in the 14th minute when she received a diagonal pass from junior Radleigh Childers. With her back to the goal, she turned and fired a shot past goalkeeper Mary Cates.
 
“I took a touch, I had to shield it, and I turned and scored,” Gilbert said.
 
The Eagles had other opportunities to score, including a couple of shots that were within 5 feet of the Blue Springs’ goal, but the attempts were pushed just wide.
 
“I felt like we deserved another goal.” Lewis said. “We got shots near the goal, we just couldn’t get that final touch on it.”

​Grain Valley senior Ally Gilbert fires in a goal after receiving a pass from junior Radleigh Childers for the team's only goal in a 1-0 win over Blue Springs in the first round of the Class 4 District 6 girls soccer tournament. Photo credit: Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
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Grain Valley junior Radleigh Childers, left, looks to throw the ball in as Blue Springs senior forward Samantha David walks toward the penalty box. Photo credit: Michael Smith, Grain Valley News

Grain Valley junior defender Taylor Nicholson blasts a corner kick. Photo credit: Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
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Grain Valley senior Mia Cole, left, heads the ball toward the Blue Springs goal as Blue Springs freshman Aaliyah Mayfield and senior Hazel Trotman defend. Photo credit: Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
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