Grapevine girls score in OT, advance to UIL 5A state soccer final

Sophomore forward Sophia Smith’s goal with four minutes left in overtime, on a no-look pass from midfielder Jordan Slim, gave Grapevine a 3-2 win Thursday against College Station in the UIL Class 5A state semifinals at Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex.

“It was really intense. There was an opportunity that I just took,” said Smith, whose game-winner in the 96th minute had enough topspin to slip through the hands of the goalkeeper. “Anyone could have had that shot; I just happened to be in a good spot.”

“She turned around and I just sprinted up to her, and was ‘Jordan, ball!’ and I just took the shot.”

The Mustangs (20-6-3) meet Frisco Centennial (21-2-2) in Saturday’s final at 11 a.m.

“I was trying to not over think it,” said Slim, whose back was to the goal as three defenders converged on her inside the penalty area. “I was trying to take just little steps at a time, and just trying to get my foot on the ball and take control of the situation.

“I just heard [Smith], I didn’t really know where she was, I just hoped she was there. Thankfully she was.”

Grapevine, which lost in the 5A semifinals last year to eventual champion Wylie East, endured a physical contest from College Station (21-4-3). In addition to three yellow cards (two against Grapevine), each team was called for 13 fouls.

“All credit to my girls,” Grapevine coach Steve McBride said. “We could have packed it in, we could have complained about a variety of different things. But at the end of the day we persevered. Tremendous, tremendous grit that they have shown.”

Grapevine’s first two goals were by senior forward Michelle Kotlik. The second, on a penalty kick, tied the match 2-2 in the 49th minute. About 10 minutes later, Kotlik unleashed a bicycle kick that a defender managed to deflect just wide of the left post.

Grapevine opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Kotlik headed home a corner kick from Tori Sledge. Kotlik’s shot bounced past goalkeeper Haley Wilton, who had moved off her line and could not recover in time.

The Cougars rallied for two late goals before intermission.

Junior midfielder Sasha Poltoratski lofted a shot from 30 yards out that eluded the reach of Grapevine keeper Katy Hutson, and College Station made it 1-1 in the 35th minute.

Two minutes later, midfielder Hailey Daniel pushed past a Grapevine defender near the penalty area and fired a shot for the 2-1 lead.

“That was an epic semifinal,” McBride said. “They brought it, we brought it. I think it was very entertaining.”

Frisco Centennial beat Cedar Park Vista Ridge 6-5 (5-3 on penalty kicks).

This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 12:27 PM with the headline "Grapevine girls score in OT, advance to UIL 5A state soccer final."