Grain Valley's season ends in 1-0 loss to Falcons

by Michael Smith

​     The Grain Valley boys soccer team came into Tuesday’s Class 5 District 7 semifinal contest against Van Horn on fire.
     The Eagles had won five consecutive games and nine out of their last 11. They also averaged 3.8 goals in their last 11 games so they were firing on all cylinders.
     However, Grain Valley ran into a rock-solid Van Horn defense and the Falcons scored one incredible goal to end the Eagles season following a 1-0 loss at Warrensburg High School.
     “For the majority of that game, I thought we outplayed them,” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis said. “We had opportunities in the first half, too. We had a shot go centimeters wide to the left.”
     “Soccer is a cruel game. It just doesn’t go your way sometimes.”
     Van Horn scored its lone goal in the 36th minute when senior Kobe Otano knocked in a backward header without even looking at the goal off a direct free kick. The Falcons also controlled possession for most of the first half and limited Grain Valley’s opportunities.
     The Falcons also utilized a high press and pressured Grain Valley’s ball handlers throughout the contest, making it difficult for the Eagles to connect on passes and make it to the Van Horn third of the field.
     Grain Valley can’t say it didn’t have its chances, however. In the second half, it controlled possession for the most part.
     Senior Austin Schmitt had a wide-open shot close to the goal after a direct free kick and a point-blank header midway through the second half. However, Falcons goalkeeper Levi Carter saved both.
     Grain Valley forward Carter Compton also had an open header in the 64th minute, but pushed it just wide right of the goal.
     “It was hard to break down their defense in the final third,” Lewis said. “They got all 10 guys behind the ball and they defended like crazy. I thought in the second half, we had most of the possession. They were really trying to hold onto that lead so they were packing it in at moments.
     “We had trouble finding that last pass, last through ball, that last execution.”
     Grain Valley ends its season at 14-8 and will lose seven seniors to graduation.
     “We love our seniors. They led the last four years with grace,” Lewis said. “They led by example and went through a lot of adversity. There are a lot of guys we are going to miss.”

The Grain Valley boys soccer team claps in unison to thank their fans for supporting them after a 1-0 loss to Van Horn Tuesday in the Class 5 District 7 semifinals.
Photo credit: Michael Smith

Grain Valley senior Cylas Brewer dribbles the ball along the sideline.
Photo credit: Michael Smith

Grain Valley senior Austin Schmitt goes to intercept a pass from Van Horn. 
Photo credit: Michael Smith

Grain Valley senior Gage Levell collapses to his knees and stares at the ground in disbelief what season comes to an end in a 1-0 loss to Van Horn. 
Photo credit: Michael Smith