Southwest falls in soccer opener
OMAHA — Lincoln Southwest had a rough start, and an even rougher finish, in its 2-1 loss to defending Class A champion Millard West in the first round of the Girls State High School Soccer Tournament on Wednesday morning at Morrison Stadium.
The Silver Hawks, designated as the visiting team for the 9 a.m. opener, came out in the wrong color uniforms.
“It was kind of a bad start to the day,” freshman Elizabeth Sundberg said.
The Silver Hawks overcame the wardrobe miscue and controlled the first half. Sundberg gave them a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute on a breakaway goal.
The Wildcats had numerous chances to even things up early in the second half, but Southwest goalie Jami Finnell protected the lead with some impressive saves.
After getting stopped a couple times earlier, Millard West’s Catherine Pickinpaugh finally got one past Finnell from 25 yards in the 53rd minute. The Wildcats kept pressuring and took the lead 10 minutes later.
The Silver Hawks made things interesting and got off a few good shots during the final five minutes but couldn’t get the tying goal.
Southwest coach Dan Tharp said the constant pressure late in the game was impressive.
“That surprised me because you knew we were getting tired,” Tharp said. “You could tell we had trouble getting the ball past midfield. Then all of sudden, bang, we were in there. We have such good playmakers up top, and you never know what will happen if we get it up to them.”
Despite the loss, Southwest’s third straight first-round setback, Tharp is excited about the future of his program.
“We are playing at a much higher level than we’ve ever played, and I’m really proud of where Southwest soccer is right now,” Tharp said. “It’s only going up from here.”
Millard West advanced to play Millard North, an 8-0 winner against North Platte in Wednesday’s second match.
The Silver Hawks, designated as the visiting team for the 9 a.m. opener, came out in the wrong color uniforms.
“It was kind of a bad start to the day,” freshman Elizabeth Sundberg said.
The Silver Hawks overcame the wardrobe miscue and controlled the first half. Sundberg gave them a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute on a breakaway goal.
The Wildcats had numerous chances to even things up early in the second half, but Southwest goalie Jami Finnell protected the lead with some impressive saves.
After getting stopped a couple times earlier, Millard West’s Catherine Pickinpaugh finally got one past Finnell from 25 yards in the 53rd minute. The Wildcats kept pressuring and took the lead 10 minutes later.
The Silver Hawks made things interesting and got off a few good shots during the final five minutes but couldn’t get the tying goal.
Southwest coach Dan Tharp said the constant pressure late in the game was impressive.
“That surprised me because you knew we were getting tired,” Tharp said. “You could tell we had trouble getting the ball past midfield. Then all of sudden, bang, we were in there. We have such good playmakers up top, and you never know what will happen if we get it up to them.”
Despite the loss, Southwest’s third straight first-round setback, Tharp is excited about the future of his program.
“We are playing at a much higher level than we’ve ever played, and I’m really proud of where Southwest soccer is right now,” Tharp said. “It’s only going up from here.”
Millard West advanced to play Millard North, an 8-0 winner against North Platte in Wednesday’s second match.
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