Lions Roar Into Regionals

Lifting the trophy, as a team

Defense comes up huge as team notches first ever District title
 
Story and photos by Tara Hefferan
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Newaygo Lions Girls Soccer has made history, winning the district title for the first time, following a 1-0 victory over the Orchard View Cardinals.  Playing in front of a full stadium in Montague on Friday night, the Lions brought intensity and focus, deploying their signature combination passing to maintain ball possession and outmaneuver the Cardinals. 

Lynnea Briones with the volley, keeping the ball away from attacker Nazalia Mendiola

The first minutes of the match started a bit shaky for the Lions, with the Cardinals controlling play and sending a number of volleys toward the Lion net.  Keeper Barbara Toth was prepared, snagging two early shots fired on goal by Orchard View’s Nazalia Mendiola, while also patrolling the edges of the 18-yard box, scooping up balls before they turned dangerous.  Outside backs Bella Welch and Maddie Couch, led by center back Sofia Briggs, also contained the Orchard View attack.  The three defenders used speed and technique to keep Orchard View out wide, cutting off promising shooting angles, then dispossessing to initiate counterattacks.

Maddie Couch sends the ball up field

The game shifted when, with just three minutes left in the first half, Jaxi Long sent a crisp pass to Grace Painter, who went one versus one against Orchard View keeper Elizabeth Estelle.  With calm precision, Painter slotted the ball into the lower corner of the net, just out of Estelle’s reach.  The Lions entered halftime with the 1-0 lead.
​Coming back from the break, the Lions were energized, putting eight shots against Orchard View versus the Cardinals three.  One of those Cardinal shots, however, was nearly a goal, fired with force at close range.  Keeper Toth went low, punching the ball away from the net, and Briggs raced in to clear the ball up the field. 

Grace Painter beats keeper Elizabeth Estelle to net the game winning goal minutes before the end of the first half

The final minutes of the match were intense, as Orchard View recognized their chances for a win were slipping away.  With frenzied energy, the Cardinals battled hard, but in the end could not get past the Lion defense of Briggs, Welch, and Couch. 
As the announcer counted down the final ten seconds of the game, the fans began cheering in collective celebration, and at the buzzer, the Lions erupted into hugs and happy tears as Newaygo Soccer claimed the District 47 title.  Coach Painter said, “My favorite memory from last night came just as the final whistle blew. The looks on ALL of the girls’ faces was a combination of pure joy and pride. This is a special group of girls that I feel privileged to be able to coach.”

Barbara Toth denying the Orchard View shot. Toth earned her 11th shut out of the season.

In post-game analysis, Coach Painter said, “One of the things I have loved about this group of girls is that they just show up for each game as if it is just as important as any other game.  Last night was no different!  They played hard last night against an aggressive, tough OV squad. I was so proud of how our girls stayed true to our team values and were never rattled by hard hits or calls they disagreed with. They just played Newaygo style soccer!” 

The faithful Lion fans applauding as the clock winds down

Indeed, the match highlighted Newaygo’s distinct playing style.  The Lions have a strong possession-oriented passing game and are able to build their attack from the back, with Sofia Briggs, Lynnea Briones, Connelly Hefferan Nordlund, and Jaxi Long controlling the central parts of the field.  From the center, they are able to push the ball out wide to stretch their opponents, opening space for Natalie Richardson and Grace Painter to use their speed and aggressive attack to get in front of net.  Newaygo’s outside defense of Maddie Couch and Bella Welch are likewise speedy and aggressive, adept at reversing the attack up the sides of the field.  Belen Torres, Chloe Bush, and Aby Lauryssens on the outside of the midfield serve as important links between the offensive and defensive lines.  When shots do make their way through, keeper Barbara Toth is ready to stop them, registering 11 shutouts this season.

Connelly Hefferan Nordlund receives the ball out of air, dropping it to her feet

Coach Painter, “Early this season we had the girls write down a couple different types of goals. Two things came up regularly: winning the conference and winning districts. We were so close to the conference title, falling just short after a great game with Big Rapids!  Then we moved on to districts.  I had talked with a couple of the past soccer coaches for Newaygo and neither of them could remember a district championship for girls soccer. So we dug deeper and realized that Newaygo had never won a district trophy.  Regardless of what happens next week in Regionals, I believe our girls have exceeded the expectations of most people except what they believed they could do together as a team!  I am so proud of every single one of them!”

Sofia Briggs dribbles the ball away from goal

Lion pride was a theme the players expressed post-game too.  Sofia Briggs said, “I’m really proud of everyone and the support.  It really means a lot.”  Bella Welch said, “Winning districts feels pretty good because we did it as a team, and we worked really hard to get here.”  Jaxi Long said, “I love winning with my friends, and we get to play next week, which is exciting.” 
 The Lions play again next Tuesday, June 7 at 5:30 in the regional semifinals against Elk Rapids in Big Rapids. 

The Champions of District 47, Newaygo Lions Soccer