Senior Night on Chris Hotop Field came down to six minutes.
The Mexico girls trailed Canton 2-1 and needed at least one goal to force overtime on May 13. Mexico scored two in the final two …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Senior Night on Chris Hotop Field came down to six minutes.
The Mexico girls trailed Canton 2-1 and needed at least one goal to force overtime on May 13. Mexico scored two in the final two minutes to win its regular season finale in regulation 3-2.
During the halftime ceremony when Marali Herrera-Amaya, Bailey Christianson, Bella Cummings, Elise Galloway and Anna Washburn were recognized, it was revealed multiple seniors’ favorite memory was the Lady Bulldogs (4-16) defeating Kirksville 2-1 in double overtime at home a year ago. Herrera-Amaya said they were happy to create one last memory on their home field.
“It gives me a flashback because I remember we beat Kirksville when we thought, ‘There’s no way we were going to come back from this,’” Herrera-Amaya said. “It’s the same feeling. I’m glad we ended the way we did.”
Canton (3-9-1) scored immediately after Gwen Walker was tripped by the goalie on a shot attempt. Mexico had the lead at halftime thanks to a goal from Herrera-Amaya but lost the lead on that play.
On another shot by Walker, the ball hung around the line in the net before Brenda Matuz tapped it in to tie the game with two minutes left. Kayden Cason put back a rebound on a similar play with 11.9 seconds left.
“That is what we mainly practice to do,” Galloway said. “We always want to crash in there and get that goal and get that rebound on the back side. That was really exciting on those last two.”
Head coach Brad Norton said he “couldn’t be more proud” of his team on how it finished the regular season after “a rough season.” He said there have been low points, but the Lady Bulldogs didn’t quit even after a 3-1 loss via penalty kicks at Fulton two days prior.
“You’ve got to make your own luck is the saying,” Norton said. “They came out and made it happen. They were tired as we had a really long game the other night. They did such an amazing job of not giving up, continuing to fight and work together, and just keep going when they had nothing left.”
Norton said the rebound plays were a good example of his team’s determination. He said he tells the Lady Bulldogs a lot that it’s important to be in position for a second-chance shot just in case, and they were at their best in that regard.
“Often, we wait and we’re watching the shot to see if it scores instead of crashing in after that ball, just in case,” Norton said. “Tonight, they were amazing falling that ball in and crashing. They hadn’t even done that well in practice. It’s a great time to do it.”
Herrera-Amaya had a handful of shots in the first half even after bouncing her goal into the net. Mexico outshot Canton 20-9 thanks to good communication that guided the ball to the middle, Herrera-Amaya said, and the team was in good shape even after falling behind in the second half as she explained with her improved mentality.
“Throughout this season, I made it a goal that, even if I have a bad half, I still have the rest of the game,” Herrera-Amaya said. “With my different mindset, I’ve definitely seen it in my game.”
Herrera-Amaya said the people have been her favorite part of playing soccer the past four years. She has made a lot of friends even with underclassmen she usually doesn’t see in class, and she will miss this family.
Galloway has enjoyed “hanging out with the team” and “the laughs” they have together. She said she has played soccer for fun these past four years and has had plenty of fun.
“I mostly like laughing with everyone and having fun,” Galloway said. “I’ve been enjoying it.”
Norton said his first senior class is a group of “pretty special girls.” He liked seeing them go out on their home field on a high note before traveling to St. Francis Borgia in Washington to play Wright City in districts on Monday.
“They’ve brought a lot of leadership, maturity, willingness to plug and play wherever, humility and sportsmanship,” Norton said. “They’ve just been welcoming to everybody. You couldn’t ask for a better group of seniors. You get attached to them. I’m happy they have this moment."
