McLean Shut Out in Regional Championship

The McLean girls’ soccer team lost by a slim 1-0 margin to Woodson in Friday night’s regional championship.  Woodson scored on a fluke goal in the 7^th minute, and although the Highlanders spent much of the game on the offensive, they were unable to find the equalizer.

“It’s very hard to keep these girls out of the net,” head coach Robert Bouchard said of his team, who was shut out for the first time this season.  “Give them credit, they had a great defensive scheme.”

That scheme was to force the Highlanders into outside shots, and although the combination of Melissa Downey, Rose Sammovigo, and Andie Romness was terrific at possessing the ball and charging through the midfield, they had a hard time getting the ball into the box with time to produce a quality shot, as many were either blocked or off target. 

Downey nearly equalized with time dwindling in the second half, splitting Woodson defenders on back-to-back cuts only to see her shot roll just wide.   Caroline Gray came upon the Highlanders best chance of the game, when a rare miscue by the Woodson defense on a head back to the keeper set her up for the one-on-one opportunity.  As surprised at the gaff as everyone else watching, Gray was not able to get her shot on frame, missing by inches.

“We need to do a better job pulling the trigger,” Bouchard said.  “This is the type of team that won’t give you many opportunities, so when you do you need to take them and get them on frame.”

Still, despite the loss, Bouchard remains confident in his team’s ability to bounce back in the state tournament.

“If there was ever a good time to lose in the playoffs it was now because your season doesn’t end.” Bouchard explained.  “I told their coach we’d see him next Saturday and I firmly believe we will be in the state finals.  We set the goal to make states at the beginning of the year, now we just need to practice hard and finish it.”