By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
WICHITA – Cair Paravel Latin fought off a barrage of scoring chances from powerhouse Bishop Miege for 92-plus minutes in Saturday’s Class 4-1A championship game at Stryker Sports Complex.
Cair Paravel's Zahra Friess battles for possession with Miege's Rose Lopez during the Lions' 1-0 double-overtime loss in Saturday's Class 4-1A championship game. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]
Cair Paravel's Veronica Ignoto boots a goal kick during Saturday's Class 4-1A championship game. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]
But Miege finally broke the dam with less than eight minutes in the second overtime.
On Miege’s 16th corner kick of the game, Dory Latenser headed home a perfectly-placed kick from Isabella McGaugh for the golden goal with 7:38 left in the second OT, securing a 1-0 win and the Stags’ state-record eighth consecutive championship.
Junior goalkeeper Veronica Ignoto and the Lions’ back line worked tirelessly to keep it scoreless, but offensive opportunities were scarce for Cair Paravel (15-4-1). The Lions weren’t officially credited with a shot on goal while Miege had 10.
“Really proud of my girls. That was an amazing show of courage against a tough team, perennial state champs,” Cair Paravel coach Doug Woolery told KSHSAA Covered. “We just couldn’t get our offense generated. We were on our heels most of the game.
“I knew my girls had it in them, but we just couldn’t seem to get the break that we had last time we played them (2-1 loss). We had a couple through balls to capitalize on and even had a couple missed opportunities in that game, and today those just didn’t show themselves. At the end of the day, they finally got one in the net and we didn’t.”
Woolery said he would have loved to see the game go to penalty kicks, especially considering how well Ignoto was playing in goal.
“She’s a beast,” he said.
Cair Paravel's Allyson Barker possesses the ball as Miege's Naomi Harris-Hyche defends in Saturday's Class 4-1A championship game. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]
It was a historic moment for Cair Paravel’s soccer program and school, marking the first time the Lions had made a state championship game in any sport as a full KSHSAA member.
“It’s special,” Woolery said. “Who would’ve thought the smallest girls’ soccer program in the state of Kansas would make it to the state tournament? They have nothing to be ashamed of.
“As far as our school, I guess it gives us a little name recognition. We had a lot of people pulling for us today, hoping that we would knock the champions off the throne. Sadly, we weren’t able to do it. But we’re happy to be here, happy to be a part of this experience.”
Cair Paravel had six seniors – Katherine Keys, Emma Keller, Allison Schwarz, Katie Colombo, Trinity Childs and Corinne Stapleton.
