For the Daily Journal
INDIANAPOLIS
The Greenwood Christian Academy girls soccer season came to an end Thursday night, but first-year Cougars Coach Joanna List saw some positives to take into the offseason.
“It’s not the result we wanted, but the way we ended the season, I couldn’t be more proud of them,” List said.
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Senior forward Isabella Burke scored three goals to lead International to a 4-1 victory over the Cougars Thursday night in the Class A Cardinal Ritter Sectional semifinal.
List said it was a very competitive game.
“I saw us do what we’ve been talking about every single game and every single practice and they brought it all in,” List said. “Just their effort, I know they played their best when they are playing with heart and I just could see their passion. They wanted to win. They really did. Their effort was there 100 percent and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
The Cougars (4-10-3) played with just 12 players and no seniors. Junior forward Cameron Northern is eager to see how they continue to develop.
“I’m so proud of my team,” Northern said. “We’ve come so far, just knowing that only five of us have played soccer before. Most of us played basketball. I just love my girls so much. Not only have we grown as a team and grown as people, but we’ve grown as a family.”
Northern, who has played soccer since she was 3 years old, scored the team’s only goal with 38:24 left in the second half to narrow the deficit to 2-1.
Burke scored on a penalty kick to make it 3-1 with 18:18 remaining, then added the final goal with 11 1/2 minutes left.
Burke scored to put the Gryphons up 1-0 with 33:27 left in the first half, and Sophie Leonard scored with 8:08 left in the first half to make it 2-0.
Northern is already looking forward to her senior season at GCA.
“The girls have really improved and worked their hearts out,” she said. “We’re going to try to get a bench next year and have more girls come out and play.”
