The Chillicothe Lady Hornets took on the Maryville Spoofhounds in the Class 2 District 8 semifinal on Tuesday night in Maryville.
The Spoofhounds came into the match ranked #8 in the Missouri Soccer Power Rankings and the #1 seed in the district. Chillicothe faced Maryville back on April 15th and Maryville prevailed 8-0.
The Lady Hornets, however, would be a different team this time around, playing better as the season has gone along. The match started out with Maryville in possession for most of the time. Chillicothe used its tough defense of Anya Moore, Emerson Stefancik, Brynley Beemer, Amyah McKinnis and Sophie Hurtgen to keep them at arms reach the entire match. Maryville found the net twice in the first half to make it 2-0 going in to the break.
The 2nd half would be a back and forth event. While Maryville would continue to put pressure on the Lady Hornet back line, goalkeeper Layla McKinnis came up clutch with multiple diving saves. McKinnis ended the match with 18 saves on the night. Maryville would find a sneaky goal to make it 3-0 with 18 minutes to play. That’s when Chillicothe amped up the pressure. Chillicothe continued to put efforts towards the Spoofhound goal and then, with 8 minutes remaining a foul just outside the box led to Hayden Hansen taking the free kick from 19 yards out. Hansen buried the shot in the lower left corner to make it 3-1 Maryville. Chillicothe would get a few more chances, but come up short. The final held at 3-1 in favor of Maryville.
The loss ends the Lady Hornet season at 7-12 (3-4 MEC). However, the great season of growth and experience will lead the girls into next year with a ton of confidence and experience to take them even further says Coach Shannon Grable.
“The Lady Hornets would like to thank Seniors Allie West, Alikai Walker and Emerson Stefancik for all they have done for our program. You will be missed and we wish you the best in the next chapter in your lives.”
