 Anna Beard charges the net on one of her two goals during the Chiefs’ overtime loss to Westminster in the state championshi Being on the cusp of a championship and coming up just short can be brutal, but you can't forget the tremendous accomplishments it took just to get to that point. The McIntosh Lady Chiefs made have lost in the state lacrosse final, but that doesn't hardly diminish an amazing season. A 10-9 overtime loss to Westminster was a heartwrenching ending to an otherwise sublime season.
"We didn't do what we planned to do but the girls gave me everything they had. We just fell short," said McIntosh Head Coach Nick Bellantoni. "We came up a little short, but that doesn't take away from a great season."
Even through the hurt, it was easy to appreciate what a fantastic match the team had just been in. "It sucks going out like this, but what a game," Bellantoni said. "That's the way championship games are supposed to be played. Somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. Unfortunately it was us this time."
The Chiefs know this is the just the start of what they plan to accomplish. "We'll be back. We'll continue building the program and moving in the right direction."
McIntosh played a great defensive game from beginning to end. Sydney Holstad was stellar in goal. For twenty-five minutes, the Chiefs held a high scoring Westminster team off the scoreboard. Kayla Miles was key cog in the defense racking up a number of key interceptions.
The offense built a 6-3 lead in the second half before it began to slip away. Westminster surged ahead 8-7 as part of a 5-1 run.
With under four minutes McIntosh responded. Anna Beard tied up the game to send it to overtime where they play two three minute periods.
Bridget Odom scored a huge goal at the buzzer to end the first overtime, putting the Chiefs ahead 9-8. Unfortunately the offense would stall as they fell 10-9.
Bridget Odom, Anna Beard, and Shelby Durden each scored two goals for McIntosh. Senneca Ward, Hannah Mason, and Sarah-Catherine Dannelly added a goal a piece.
Though it may seem little consolation, there is no shame in losing to a Westminster squad that just completed a three-peat.
The McIntosh girls hope this is just a taste of what is to come for their team. "We told the girls to soak it all in. This is the atmosphere you want to be in," said Bellantoni. "You'll remember this the rest of your lives. You can't ask for anything else." |
