Spoofhounds clinch first MEC title since 2003
ANTHONY CRANE/THE FORUM
The Spoofhounds, from left Jade Price, Kori Quinlin and Jersey Ingram, celebrate a goal from Payton Kurz on Tuesday night at Savannah. The Spoofhounds won 3-1 and clinched their first conference championship since 2003.
SAVANNAH, Mo. – The Maryville Spoofhounds have won 13 district titles over the last 15 years, but a conference title has eluded one of the area’s best soccer programs. On Tuesday, the Spoofhounds secured the MEC championship for the first time since 2003 with a 3-1 win over Savannah.
“It’s really exciting for us, that was one of our big goals at the beginning of the season,” Maryville junior Claire Walter said. “To accomplish that means a lot to us and it just shows all the hard work we’ve put in throughout the season.”
The Savages also had a lot to play for Tuesday evening, needing a win to split the conference championship three ways. Savannah played that way early on with a shot in the opening moments of the match that Walter caught out of the net.
Savannah’s lone goal came in the seventh minute off the foot of senior Erin Larson.
“I got a little down after that first goal just because it was so early in the match,” Walter said. “But in soccer, especially as a goalie, you just have to move on to the next ball. I think it’s the toughest moment just because if you get scored on, you have to have that mindset that you can’t let it happen again.”
The Maryville defense kept the Savages at bay the rest of the half, holding Savannah to just one shot the remainder of the half. The Spoofhounds also struggled on the attack in the first 30 minutes of action with their first shot-on-goal not coming until the 33rd minute.
Savannah took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
“We talked about how we have to switch the feel as part of that communication,” Maryville coach Stephanie Ingram said. “We learn right because most of our girls are right-footed, but when we get open on the left side, you open up so many more offensive players. The way that they communicated to switch the ball and talk to each other is what made a huge difference in the second half.”
Savannah had an early opportunity to double its lead, but a nice save from Channing Harbin kept the Savages at one. Jade Price answered with a shot in the 52nd minute but a save from Schyler Hall left the Spoofhounds still looking for that first goal.
That goal would come soon after with Price tying the match in the 57th minute.
“I was really motivated and I really wanted to win,” Price said. “I really wanted to win conference since we hadn’t in forever, and I think we all just took our frustration toward the goal. I think we passed well as a team and played well as a team.”
After very limited success on offense in the second half, the Savages had two chances in the second half — once in the 58th minute and another in the 77th minute.
Senior Payton Kurz put Maryville ahead in the 64th minute with a shot from 32 yards that went over the fingertips of Hall. The Spoofhounds shooting from deep continued later in the half with Jersey Ingram goal from 30 yards out to make it a 3-1 game.
“That was incredible, they’re captains for a reason,” Coach Ingram said. “They’ve played together since they were young and for both of them to get a conference championship — I’m just so happy for them.”
Maryville now sits at 8-3-1 on the season. The Spoofhounds will finish out the regular season on Thursday against Harrisonville. The Wildcats have won eight of nine coming into the week.
The team will then start Class 2 District 8 play on Saturday against Lafayette at Benton High School.
“I think the last few games have shown us that if we get down, get can bounce back again,” Walter said. “It shows our resilience and I think that gives us a lot of hope if we play Pleasant Hill again.”
