Hollywood would be proud.
As if deliberately staged for the next feel-good film of the summer, Kickapoo's senior trio of Alyson Goodale, Hannah Sweaney and Rachel Williams all found the back of the net in Tuesday's 7-0 win over Camdenton – a win that just so happened to occur on, you guessed it, Senior Night.
Even more amazingly, all three scores were recorded in the first half of play to help the Lady Chiefs (18-3-2) secure a four-goal advantage by halftime.
“We didn't script it that way, but I guess any time that can happen, it's pretty special,” Kickapoo head coach Phil Hodge said. “We love all three of our seniors and I hate to see them go, so for all of them to score there in the first 40 minutes of the game is pretty neat.”
The first senior score came with 26:47 to play in the opening period when junior Alyson Reinold delivered a perfect cross over to Goodale, who proceeded to head the ball past Camdenton (11-7-2) keeper Hannah Lowther and ultimately commence the start of a special evening.
After junior Edyn King struck for a score of her own at the 8:46 mark, the second senior of the night, midfielder Hannah Sweaney, put the Lady Chiefs up 3-0 after showcasing her impressive agility to move around Lowther and post another score with 2:52 to go.
Less than a minute and a half later, it would be Rachel Williams' turn to join the fray – striking for an easy goal and completing the senior trifecta.
“I think it means a lot to us because there are only three of us this year,” Goodale said in reference to each senior scoring in the first half. ”Every game, we go out and it's special because we know every game could be our last.”
Despite her early netter, Goodale refused to slow down and tallied her second goal of the match less than two minutes into the second period to put Kickapoo up 5-0.
Sophomores Lily Simphaly-Ragsdale and Morgan Gunther rounded out the scoring party with second-half goals as Kickapoo continued to have its way offensively and, at the same time, was able to limit Camdenton's chances – thanks to a solid game plan by the Lady Chiefs that revolved around quick ball movement and a stout defensive front.
“We just try to preach to be unselfish and limit the amount of touches we can have, as well as play sound defense,” Hodge said. “That was our 18th win, so I think we've done a pretty good job of that all year and we just want to keep getting better at it.”
For head coach Chris Byington and Camdenton, the loss is being taken in stride in hopes of better things waiting on the horizon as the end of the regular season draws closer.
“It is what it is,” said Byington. “You just roll with it, keep pursuing, keep staying strong and wait for districts. This game is more of a stepping stone for us and, again, I'm so thankful for the group that I have this year. I love those girls and I know we'll be fine.”
As for Kickapoo, a win by Rolla over Glendale on Tuesday ended any hopes of capturing an Ozark Conference crown, but the near miss isn't dampening the spirits of Hodge's club.
“As the season goes on, we keep getting better and better,” Goodale said. “I think toward the end, we're going to hit our max and we'll just be able to shine as a team.”
Kickapoo entertains Jeff City on Monday, while Camdenton travels to play Joplin on Thursday.
