​Youth Of The Lady Eagles ‘Rains’ Supreme In Sectional Soccer Playoff Win

by John Unrein

 
     The way the two events coincided was a welcome sight. The downpour of rain subsided briefly as Grain Valley forward Emma Thiessen broke into the clear and scored the first goal of the game thirty minutes into the second half.  The Lady Eagles fans in attendance at Bob Shore Stadium in Camdenton erupted with cheers. It was the momentum gain that Grain Valley needed en route to their 3-0 victory during the Class 3 Sectional tournament playoff round.
     “There was a struggle that became greater as this game went on. We knew we needed to find a way to make it through this game. We continued to work together. Kylee (Bragaw) found me and made a great pass. It led to me making the shot,” Thiessen said.
     “It was fun to play in a game like this one. It is something I will never forget. We wanted this for our seniors on the team so that they can keep going.”
     Joining Thiessen with second half goals for the Lady Eagles were fellow freshmen Annabelle Totta and Kylee Bragaw. Totta wore out a path along the Grain Valley sideline in her relentless charge to get wide and in the clear. The reward was the Camdenton Lady Lakers defense finally wearing down thirty-two minutes into the second half when Totta sent the soccer ball on a low trajectory into the corner of the net. Bragaw would follow suit one minute later and seal the victory for the Lady Eagles.
     “I was determined for us to get another goal. I knew we would need it due to the weather. Emma (Thiessen) made a good pass that set me up for the shot.  I was able to finish. I had fun playing in the rain today,” Totta said.
     The youth of the Grain Valley girls varsity soccer roster continues to pay dividends. It is hard to imagine the eight freshmen of the Lady Eagles squad as freshmen anymore at this point in the season. Better yet, they are committed to have their efforts benefit the four seniors on the team. Senior leadership as displayed by midfielder Raena Childers could be a big reason why.
     Childers was consistently double teamed by the Lady Lakers defense during the game. Camdenton was committed to not letting Childers be the one to hurt their endeavors. Instead of displaying frustration, Childers found creative ways to distribute the soccer ball to her teammates. The results from the contest speak for themselves regarding the unselfishness on display by the Grain Valley senior committed to play soccer at the University of Kansas next year.
     A reminder was given after the game by Grain Valley Lady Eagles head soccer coach Tyler Nichol to enjoy the win but realize that the team was not done, that work still lies ahead for them to achieve their goal. A message that was well received by Nichol’s squad. The playoff win was not a bad way for Nichol to celebrate his 200th victory as head coach either.
     Nichol could not help but smile as rain dripped off the bill of his hat upon hearing the celebration going on behind closed doors in the Grain Valley locker room following the win. The loud festivities were in part due to 2016 being the last time the Lady Eagles soccer team made the quarterfinals. Nichol shared the pride he had in the way his team played with his postgame comments.
     “They (Camdenton) really homed in on taking away Raena (Childers) as a threat. We tried pushing her to the front more in the first half and that made things worse in being too crowded. The second half Childers distributed the soccer ball really well to our benefit,” Nichol said.
     “The other weapons on this team stepped up. Thiessen, Totta, and Bragaw were huge in what they contributed. All three know how to win at a young age from playing club soccer and the other sports they are involved in at the high school. It is awesome to have members of this team be coached by people like (Randy) Draper who are competitive and teach kids so much about winning.”
     Nichol concluded, “Our early wins this season against teams like Kearney, Staley, and Park Hill South left this team unafraid and playing with swagger. They believe they can make plays. This win has been a great end to long day.”
     Grain Valley improves to a record of 20-2-1 on the season. The Lady Eagles will next host Platte County in the quarterfinal round of the Class 3 playoffs on May 29th.
     

Freshmen Emma Thiessen and Annabelle Totta celebrate their playoff victory.
​Photo credit: Valley News staff

Senior Raena Childers attempts a free kick.
Photo credit: Valley News staff

Freshman Sevi Aumua keeps the ball in play.
Photo credit: Valley News staff