By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Catholic Lady Irish were dancing and grooving in the hours leading up to their district showdown against rival Glendale.
Later that night, they were dancing a whole lot more – this time in the rain as district champions.
A young and rising Catholic squad bested defending state runner-up Glendale 3-0 in Friday night’s Class 3 District 6 Tournament finals.
It was sweet revenge for a Catholic program that saw its 2022 season end with a 1-0 loss to Glendale in the district finals. Glendale went on to reach the Class 3 state title game.
“We’ve been talking about doing this for the past year,” said Catholic sophomore Peyton Wiseman. “Ever since that loss, we’ve been trying to get back and play (Glendale) again. When they beat us earlier this season, too, that just put some more fire under us.”
Catholic seized control of Friday’s rematch early, putting through two goals in the first 15 minutes.
Wiseman finished a rebound opportunity in the ninth minute for Catholic’s first goal. In the 15th minute, Izzie Belz’s corner kick found Campbell Morgan, who got just enough of her foot on the ball to put it through.
“I think that really set the tone for the beginning of the game,” said Catholic goalkeeper Haley Brown. “It kind of calmed the nerves a bit. It was a good way to start.”
Brown and the Catholic defense made the early lead stand, despite steady shots from Glendale throughout the match.
“We were pressing against them hard, we were shooting, but their goalkeeper came up with some really good saves,” said Glendale coach Jeff Rogers. “They came to win, and they won. I wish them well going forward.”
Brown finished with 13 saves, including a key 1-v-1 save against Glendale star Reilly Heman in the first half. Brown also denied an earlier Glendale opportunity, seemingly taking a rebound shot off her face.
“(Brown) played magnificently tonight,” said Catholic coach Ben Timson. “Everyone did. It was a 100% group effort. This was the best game we’ve played all year.”
Belz added an insurance goal for Catholic early in the second half.
The Lady Irish will travel to Union on Saturday, May 27 for a Class 3 quarterfinals match. The winner advances to the Class 3 final four, held June 2-3 at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Catholic (19-5 overall) is peaking at the right time. The Lady Irish are 12-1 since late April, the lone loss in that span coming against Glendale (2-0) on May 1. Catholic has recorded seven straight shutouts since that setback.
“In the back of our minds, since the very first day, this is something we’ve been looking at and knew we had to accomplish,” Timson said. “To actually see it come to fruition is just incredible.”
Said Brown: “We were really looking forward to this game. All day, we were excited and dancing. It was a lot of fun and we’re excited to continue our season.”
Catholic and Glendale played Friday’s match amid recurring rain showers. Rogers said there was some pregame discussion about rescheduling the match.
But with no severe weather in the forecast, and Glendale having its graduation ceremony on Saturday afternoon, both sides decided to play on.
“If there’s not going to be lightning, we’re going to play,” Rogers said. “I was working with their admin and our admin to just try to do the best for the kids. At the end of the day, (the players) are happy. This is what high school sports is all about.”
Players embraced the unique settings.
“I think every soccer player’s favorite conditions to play in is rain under the lights,” Wiseman said. “We got that tonight. It really raises the intensity.”
Glendale finishes 20-4 overall, earning its second straight 20-win season.
The Lady Falcons lost eight starters from their 2022 final four squad. Rogers credited this year’s seniors and co-captains – Heman, goalkeeper Meegan Randall and defender Riley Whisenhunt – for helping the Lady Falcons remain strong.
“They led us all year. We really had to rebuild on the fly,” Rogers said. “We got ourselves back in this spot and just fell short tonight.
“Our seniors had great careers and this will be kind of the launching pad for our returning underclassmen. They see these moments and learn what it’s all about.”
Catholic 3, Glendale 0
Catholic 2 1 — 3
Glendale 0 0 — 0
First half
Catholic – Peyton Wiseman (9’)
Catholic – Campbell Morgan (15’); Izzie Belz assist
Second half
Catholic – Belz (48’); Wiseman assist
