A bid for a second state soccer championship in three years fell one victory short.
Making their third consecutive appearance in the Division III State Championship match, and competing against the same opponent for the third consecutive year, the Indianola Academy Lady Colonels suffered a 2-0 loss to defending state champion Laurel Christian School.
Playing their final match of the season Monday morning at Jackson Prep, the IA squad completed its season with a 9-6 record and as the Division III North champion. Laurel Christian would end their season with a 13-3 record.
“I am very proud of the girls,” said IA Head Coach Alex Deason. “Laurel Christian took the game to us but our mission before the season began was to get back to the title game. We just came up a bit short.”
As for the future of the IA program, Coach Deason is very optimistic, “I am excited about next year. We are losing three valuable seniors but for the first time we were able to play some JV games. Those minutes allowed some of our younger players to gain added experience.”
In Monday’s match, the very physical Lady Lions were effective at keeping the ball on the IA end of the field during most of the 80 minutes played.
The loss was absorbed by IA despite an impressive effort by goalkeeper Hannah Lloyd, who continually corralled balls lurking anywhere near her goal. Lloyd ultimately recorded five saves in the match.
The Lady Lions scored what proved to be the only goal they would need in the 22nd minute of the first half of the match.
However, a successful Lauren Christian School penalty kick seven minutes later took the score to what would be the 2-0 final margin.
The second half became dominated by defense rendering both teams unable to score a goal.
The Lady Colonels reached Monday’s title game with their 3-0 semi-final victory last Thursday over St. Augustine School of Ridgeland.
Following a scoreless first half on their home field, the Lady Colonels received goals from Fran Veazey, Lydia Williams, and Emma Kate MacLeod to put the game away.
Recording her second shutout of the playoffs, goalkeeper Lloyd tallied four saves in the match.
Following Monday’s title match, four IA players were named to the 2021 All-Division Team. Receiving this honor were Hannah Lloyd, Emma Kate MacLeod, Lydia Williamson, and Fran Veazey.
Meanwhile, seniors MacLeod, Williamson, and Sallye Kate Ledbetter wore their IA uniform for the final time in Monday’s title game.
