The Washington girls soccer team did what nobody had done in 35 straight games -- beat Xavier.
Class 3A No. 8 Washington (6-1, 6-0 MVC) scored two first-half goals and managed to keep Class 2A No. 1 Xavier (7-1, 5-1) out of the net, handing the Saints their first loss since 2009 on a windy Saturday at Kingston Stadium, 2-0.
“Unbelievable. Unbelievable,” said an elated Washington Coach Sean McCoy. “We didn’t have a lot of pressure on us this game, but we definitely had a game plan and the kids did what they were asked to do and they produced results.”
The Warriors credited their game plan and execution for the result.
“We were focused in the beginning,” said senior midfielder Ashley Piper. “Our coach talked to us and told us what we needed to do and we just executed it.”
Part of that game plan was to take advantage of the wind, which the Warriors had at their backs throughout the first half.
“We went with the wind in the first half, tried to hit a couple balls long, got lucky on the first one and the second one was a great goal,” Piper said.
The Warriors first goal came in the 13th minute from junior Maddi Hines, who took a pass from junior Jess Erb outside the box and let one fly. The shot looked to be a routine save for Xavier keeper Tori Shepard, but she bobbled it and the wind helped the ball find its way into the goal.
"We struggled against Prairie (a 2-1 win earlier Saturday),” McCoy said. “Prairie scored a goal seven minutes in and then we had to fight and chase the game. We knew if we went down to Xavier and gave up an early goal, probably another two or three would follow, so that first goal was huge.”
Washington was able to extend their lead to 2-0 in the 33rd minute when sophomore Sarah Keppler launched a beautiful shot from outside the box that found its way into the upper 90.
But the five-time defending state champion Saints refused to roll over, dominating possession in the second half and putting pressure on the Washington goal for nearly the entire 40-minute period.
“They have so many dynamic players, Annie Dale is an incredible player, Mary Lavette is unbelievable, we just tried to lock them up with athletes that we thought could keep with them,” McCoy said of his team's defensive effort in the second half.
That strategy worked for the Warriors who, despite a furious effort from Xavier, were able to earn a clean sheet.
“We just didn’t want them to get a goal,” Piper said. “If they were in our end of the field it was cool, (but) we just wanted to get it cleared out and get the game over.”
Xavier beat Jefferson, 1-0, earlier Saturday at lower Kingston. Kayla Armstrong's goal in the 70th minute was the only score.
Washington 2, Xavier 0
Goals -- CRW: Maddi Hines (13th min), Sarah Keppler (33rd min). Assists -- CRW: Jess Erb.
Xavier 1, Jefferson 0
Goal -- CRX: Kayla Armstrong
