Poland’s stellar season ends with OT loss
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HOWLAND -- All good things must come to an end.
On Saturday, it was the historic run of Poland's girls' soccer team, as the Bulldogs fell 1-0 in overtime to Akron Manchester in the Division III, Region 9 final at Howland High School.
Despite the score, there was no shortage of excitement as both teams battled each other as well as the wind. That didn't stop the offense, however, as both teams traded chances for 80 minutes without breaking the deadlock.
"It was a good game, but we couldn't put one in the net, and that's what we needed to do," Bulldogs coach Neil Huda said. "We had about 10 shots and none of them went in. You've got to score to win."
The decisive goal came two and a half minutes into the overtime period when Manchester's Gina Tipton connected with the back of the net to send her team to the state final four.
At this stage of the tournament, familiarity with teams becomes less and less common. Poland used the first part of the game as a tester to figure out their opponent.
"We watched one game of theirs (beforehand)," Huda said. "Our plan was to kind of sit back and get a feel for them. And then we kind of moved some numbers up and then when we were going with the wind, we moved more numbers up, but we just couldn't finish."
Bulldogs goalkeeper Leanne Williams had a stellar game for Poland, proving to be a brick wall on Manchester's multiple opportunities.
"She's amazing, she really is. Maybe she'll get some recognition or whatever because she's a great player," Huda said.
"I've got her next year too," Huda added with a smile.
Poland's season ends at 18-4.
The Bulldogs graduate four seniors, Kailyn Assion, Meredith Trevis, Ariana Daniels and Ellie Shaffer.
They helped pilot a Poland team that reached its first-ever regional title appearance and first district title since 2004 and their leadership was a crucial part in making that happen.
"They've been so important with their leadership," Huda said. "They're enthusiastic. We're happy about the year, just wish we could have gone a little bit further with them."
The Bulldogs are returning a large part of their core including three of the team's four leading goal scorers: Sophia Generalovich (19 goals), Eliana Thompson (16 goals) and Ava Blinksy (16 goals).
The experience of getting this far, and the painful experience of defeat, is only going to help the Bulldog returnees next season, Huda hopes.
"It will help them next year I think and more in the years to come," Huda said. "Now they know the pain of losing this game. Like the Kenston game last year, we got over that to win districts. Now we have to get over this (and win regionals)."
Akron Manchester will advance to the state semifinals where they'll take on Ottawa-Glandorf. Ottawa-Glandorf also won in a 1-0 decision, taking down Elmore Woodmore.
byauger@tribtoday.com