Grapevine girls soccer suffers comeback loss in state

The reality of playing for a state championship is that the team with the lead knows the fight has only begun. In fact, it’s probably a tougher fight because the team that’s trailing picks up the intensity, the desperation and the determination.

Grapevine’s girls soccer team had control of its Class 5A state championship against Frisco Centennial this past Saturday at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown. The Lady Mustangs led 2-0 at the break and carried a 2-1 lead into the closing moments.

However, Centennial’s Katelyn Termini used a beautiful inside move and then delivered the equalizer with 3:39 to play in regulation. By now, you know the rest.

Grapevine’s hopes of bringing its first state championship in girls soccer back to Northeast Tarrant County were denied in the shootout phase. The Lady Titans won the game of chance, 3-1, to claim that program’s first state championship in that sport, 3-2.

Grapevine, which was making its second consecutive appearance at the state tournament, saw its historic season finish at 20-7-3.

“It was a tale of two halves,” Grapevine coach Steve McBride said. “But it was pretty evident that no lead was going to be safe. We felt really good at halftime. Give [Centennial] credit. They put us under extreme pressure and did well to disrupt our rhythm.”

Centennial’s comeback may have been more about what the Lady Titans did versus what the Lady Mustangs didn’t do. Grapevine jumped out to its lead on goals from Sophie Smith and Jordan Slim.

Everything Grapevine initiated offensively began with its wings, McBride said. But Centennial pinched up by moving one of its center backs to forward. It was a look that Grapevine had not seen. But then again, no one from Grapevine had seen Centennial until it semifinal against Cedar Park Vista Ridge.

But at this time of the season, coaches are more apt to make sure their teams are playing at their highest level. Scouting the opposition is important, of course. A championship team can handle anything.

The two overtime periods didn’t offer much. Grapevine couldn’t convert on three of its four opportunities in the shootout.

“You’re devastated because you’re that close but then you have to come out to the pitch refocused,” McBride said. “We just had to be prepared to play. This is the reason why you’re in team sports. There are life lessons to be taken from it. But I told them life will go on. This run will show what they’re capable of doing.”

Intense tournament

Of course, Grapevine had to survive its own state semifinal this past Thursday just to make it Saturday. It defeated College Station in overtime, 3-2. Michelle Kotlik scored twice. Smith added the other. Centennial advanced when it beat Vista Ridge on penalty kicks.

“It was about as entertaining a tournament you could have been a part of,” McBride said.

Looking ahead to 2017

Grapevine loses several important seniors from this program including Kotlik, Smith, Slim, defender McKae Duncan and keeper Katy Hutson. But there is some depth returning in Smith and freshmen Ashton Wright, Brianna Gajewski and Rylee Hanna. Plus, the rivalry with Colleyville Heritage returns as the two will be in the same 5A district. The two have not played in two years.

“I’m excited about that,” McBride said. “The region just got better. It’s going to be nice to wake up and know you have to put in work.”

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 4:20 PM with the headline "Grapevine girls soccer suffers comeback loss in state."