Washington girls soccer season ends at the feet of Marion

MARION — It was a valiant effort against a high-scoring opponent, but Washington lost its Class 2A postseason girls soccer match to Marion Friday, 5-2.

It was a 2-0 deficit for the Demons before most fans had settled in under their blankets, umbrellas and rain gear on a cold and misty day.

“We had some mistakes up front and that meant we had a tough opening, but you take away those two minutes and the score is 3-2,” Washington coach Steven Caulk said.

A change in Washington’s formation slowed the Indians, but with 22 minutes remaining in the first half, the Demons trailed 4-0 with Grace Coates reaching 50 goals on the season with her second score. Elyse Hunt made a great save, but Coates was quick enough to find the ball and score.

"She is really fast and to defend her you have to get used to her speed,“ Demon defender Sarah Hall said. ”She made it hard to adjust, but I just tried to keep in front of her.“

In the 20th minute of the first half, Alivia Emry lifted a shot from 25 yards out that soared over the Marion keeper’s outstretched arms and settled into the top of the net to pull the Demons within 4-1.

Hunt found herself all alone against Coates 5 minutes later, and it was 5-1.

“Conditions like this are the hardest on goalkeepers,” Caulk said. “The ball is going to skip out of their hands even with the special gloves they have on.”

Hunt faced 21 shots while the Demons put nine shots on goal.

"We’ve had some solid defenders in Sarah Hall and Lindsay Diaz,“ Caulk said. ”Sarah has been a rock for us all season.“

The Demons gained some motivation for the second half when Greta Rothe converted a free kick right on the 18-yard line, blasting a precision shot inside the left post where the keeper couldn’t reach.

The 5-2 score at the break was the final because of more changes by Caulk at halftime.

“We switched to three center backs so our defense was a lot stronger,” Hall said. “It helped us stop (Coates). We pushed a lot harder, too. It seems we always start off games iffy. We are kind of nervous so that’s why but maybe more nervous for this game. Once we got in gear we did really well.”

The coronavirus took away the 2020 season, but that is the past, Hall said.

“It is more unfortunate that it’s all over,” she said. “I obviously wanted it to continue, but I thought we had a really good second half. I’m so proud of us for that.”

“I think we have a lot to be proud of,” Caulk said, “Proud of today, overall and for our season.”

Washington’s Trina Griffin, whose 27 goals are 19th in the state, ninth in 2A, had few chances in her last game and was comforted by teammates as she sat on the bench after the match.

Marion and its 12-4 record advance to play Tuesday against 15-2 Mount Vernon.