Shutout sends Sherwood Christian to state semifinals for first time

ALBANY — No high-fives.

No pat on the back.

No Gatorade shower.

Just a small congratulatory handshake for Sherwood Christian School girls soccer coach Jason Schultz.

The Lady Eagles used two-second half goals to top Trinity Christian of Dublin, 3-0, Monday evening in the quarterfinals of the GISA Class AA state soccer tournament at Darton State College. The victory sends Sherwood into the semifinals where they will play host to the winner of the LaGrange-First Presbyterian Christian contest later this week.

It is the deepest Sherwood Christian has advanced in the state tournament. But one would never get the impression Monday’s victory was historic. There was very little celebration.

“I want a state championship ring,” senior Michaela Satchel said. “It’s my senior year and I’ve never been a part of a state championship.”

A state title may be two wins away but considering the Lady Eagles’ defensive performance Monday night, they are off to a good start.

Pitching shutouts is something goalkeeper Hannah Thompson has grown accustomed to. But she had plenty of help as Sherwood’s defense smothered Trinity, allowing the Lady Crusaders just one shot on goal.

It took a while as Trinity goalie Sydney Bozeman stifled several of Sherwood’s potential scoring opportunities with her dazzling defense. However, once Hannah King netted the team’s first goal at the 6:07 mark of the first half, things seemed to get easier.

Mary-Kate McClearn helped set up King’s goal, one that was more suitable for the highlights.

“We needed that breakthrough,” King said. “We had played this team before, and we knew how they played. But one thing they did differently is they played more defensive and kept the whole team in front of the goal.

“But once we hit that first goal, we came alive. We knew what we had to do then.”

Sherwood led 1-0 at the half but Kendalyn Stone quickly gave the Lady Eagles a cushion early in the second period when she netted the team’s second goal off an assist from Christina Charles at the 38:18 mark.

Then Jordan Paramore helped set up Katelyn Cuff’s final goal with 21:51 left.

That may have been the final goal of the game but Schultz never let his team stop as they continued to attack.

“You always want to put in a full 80 minutes,” Schultz said. “Obviously, you want to use everything to work and condition for the next game and get minutes for your subs. Just because we were winning, there was no time to relax.”

Sherwood has posted back-to-back shutouts in state tournament wins over Arlington Christian and Trinity. The Lady Eagles know it will get tougher, but their eyes remain on a bigger prize.

“This is amazing,” Satchel said. “We’ve never made history before. This is the first time I’ve been part of a team that has made it to the state semifinals.”

Two more wins and the Lady Eagles will receive more than just a congratulatory handshake.