Mount Vernon girls’ soccer was dominating their Class 2A regional quarterfinal against Clinton on Friday, May 23 at Armstrong Field.
But it was still 0-0 at halftime.
“We had 22 shots in the first half,” Mount Vernon coach Angie Knies said. “I was like, I know it is going to come. I had faith in my team. You can’t have 22 shots on goal and not have one go in eventually.”
Clinton (2-13-1) was a wild card. Not a great record, but they played in a big 3A conference.
“The shots were there, they just weren’t falling,” junior Courtney Franck said. “I felt we did a good job of moving the ball, passing it.”
“I wasn’t really nervous,” senior Clare Nydegger said. “I was just getting kind of frustrated.”
Finally, with 14 minutes into the second half, the Mustangs got on the scoreboard. Nydegger lineup for a corner kick, and scored on her long, spinning kick.
“That was pure luck, I’m going to be honest,” Nydegger said. “I was trying to get it to someone to head it in. It just decided to go in.”
Coach Knies wasn’t so sure it was just luck.
“She always says that, but I think she practices that at home,” Knies said. “I have full confidence in her. The whole front line. We trust in them. I know they are going to score when they get the ball.”
Franck scored with about 15 minutes left, getting an insurance goal off a rebound in front of the goal.
The final 3-0 score came after sophomore Miranda Sellner scored on a long shot in the final minute.
“I knew we could do it,” Nydegger said. “As long as we all work together, it’ll happen.”
It was been an up-and-down season for Mount Vernon (8-5-3). The Mustangs advance to the regional semifinals, and played at North Scott (9-7-1) on Wednesday, May 28.
“We are doing incredibly wello,” Nydegger said. “We are moving the ball, communicating and playing really well. I’m proud of us.”
The first-year coach is happy with the progress her team has made.
“I’m just having fun and the girls are having fun,” Knies said. “And I don’t think the senior want to be done. And that’s always a good thing.”