Chicks win potential state semifinal preview in Maryville
JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM
Maryville senior Jersey Ingram pats junior Claire Walter on the back after a save on Friday against Pleasant Hill in the Hound Pound.
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Fans at the Hound Pound got a potential state preview on Friday night with Class 2 No. 3 Pleasant Hill visiting Class 2 No. 10 Maryville. Both teams will be top seeds and heavy favorites in their districts with Pleasant Hill owning a 3-0 win over probably second-seed Harrisonville and Maryville owning a 4-2 win over probable second-seed Savannah.
“This game was really good for us,” Maryville senior Payton Kurz said. “It is really a lesson to learn from.”
The two teams had the opportunity to feel each other out before that potential state quarterfinal matchup. Pleasant Hill ended up with the 4-1 confidence-building win in the Hound Pound, but Maryville felt like the match will serve them well too.
“I think that it was really good competition to have,” Maryville junior goalkeeper Claire Walter said. “We haven’t had that many games this year that have really pushed us. Playing them at this point was really good for us to learn what we need to get better at.”
The Chicks (16-2) started fast with a pair of goals to open the first half and build a 2-0 lead.
Maryville (7-2-1) responded with a strong drive by freshman Brinslee Weldon. Driving down the left side of the box, Weldon was tackled by goalkeeper and a yellow card and penalty kick was rewarded.
The players looked to the sideline and asked who coach Stephanie Ingram wanted to take the penalty kick. She responded, “whoever is confident.”
Unsurprisingly 3-time All-State defender Payton Kurz stepped up to take the kick and drilled it into the back of the net.
“I just feel like you have a lot of confidence and composure to take it,” Kurz said.
The two teams went into the second half with Pleasant Hill leading 2-1. Both sides had chances early in the second half, but it was the Chicks who got breathing room with a goal and then another late to put the 4-1 win away.
“Losing sucks, but I think that we can learn a great lesson from this game,” Ingram said. “Even though we didn’t win, I still saw a lot of great things from us.”
The Spoofhounds defended set pieces and corner kicks well in the second half and that is something that Walter thinks the team can build on.
“Everybody just really stayed on their mark and had it on their mind to clear the ball,” Walter said. “And that is what we did.”
Maryville plays at Blue Valley on Wednesday and hosts Cameron on Thursday. They will play a de-facto MEC championship game on May 12 at Savannah.
“The rest of our season is going to be a huge test for us,” Kurz said.
