GCA girls eliminated in sectional semi

<p>For the Daily Journal</p><p>INDIANAPOLIS</p><p>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.</p><p>“It’s not the result we wanted, but the way we ended the season, I couldn’t be more proud of them,” List said.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery<p>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.</p><p>List said it was a very competitive game.</p><p>“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.”</p><p>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.</p><p>“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.”</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Northern is already looking forward to her senior season at GCA.</p><p>“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.”</p>