For some teams the mental hurdles it must clear are even harder to overcome than the physical, and that is a nut the Wood River girls' soccer team has thus far not managed to crack against Century.
Playing for the Great Basin Conference title in Pocatello Thursday, the Wolverines were every bit the Diamondbacks equal on the playing field, but Century capitalized on a pair of free kicks for a 2-0 victory. It was the third time in as many years the Diamondbacks have shutout the Wolverines in the conference championship and the loss did not sit well with the Wolverines.
"The mood after the game was somber," coach Greg Gvozdas said. "The team had not played that intense of game in a while, and I think the girls are past the point that they can play well and lose and that is okay."
Gvozdas said the two-time defending state champs employed a 5-3-2 formation against the Wolverines, which means a team is facing five defenders in the back instead of the usual four.
"They play very deep and give a lot to the counterattack," he said. "They really stretch their team and are rarely compact. I think it's very defensive, but, unfortunately, effective."
Gvozdas noted that most high school teams are not skilled enough to maintain possession to break through the formation, but aided by hardworking Sam Johnson and Tanner Dredge up front and Delaney Fox in the midfield, the Wolverines outshot the Diamondbacks 8-7 and held a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.
"Overall, I thought we played really well. Tanner missed a really close chance. A lot of players played very well, but we still came up a little short on the scoreboard," Gvozdas said.
Century (11-2-2, 11 shutouts) scored in the 32nd minute on a free kick near the 18-yard line.
"The girl shot it and there was a melee in front of the box and someone poked it in," Gvozdas said.
Century duplicated the feat in the second half, putting the direct kick into the back of the net.
"(Goalie) Madison (Gove) played fantastic. There's not much you can do when you are inside the six and someone gets a toe on it," Gvozdas said. "I thought our back three, Laura Elgee, Bailey Ireland and Michelle McMurdo played well, too."
While not looking past Hillcrest (15-1-1), who Wood River (10-4-1) will meet in the first round of the 4A State Tournament in Pocatello on Oct. 18. Gvozdas noted that his team could see Century one more time before the season is through -- in the championship game at state.
"Which I would enjoy," he said.
Wood River?s Jasmine Campbell will undoubtedly pack her game face for Pocatello and this week?s State 4A Soccer Tournament.
