The Blair High School soccer seniors were in tears Saturday after a 3-1 loss at Bennington in the Class B District 6 Final.
“Soccer has been my only sport ever since I was 3,” defender Madeline Dirkschneider said. “And in these four years, my goal was to make it to state and I didn't get there.”
Sami Murray said her eyes were red because of the bond she has with a tight group of teammates.
“I'm just sad because I've been playing soccer with Maddie since I was, like, 8,” the Morningside University recruit explained. “It's tough.”
The tears were out of disappointment, but also admiration for their small roster of Bears.
“Just really finally appreciating how much I love this team because it's all over now,” Trinity Back said, detailing what she felt in her head and heart.
The pain came from BHS' third loss to Bennington this season. The Badgers won 3-0 and 4-0 games with coach Brandon Palmer's team earlier in the spring, but Saturday's two-goal victory meant the most. It sent the home team to state and the Bears home.
Bennington scored first during the 35th minute of the first half when Mia Hurt headed in an on-target crossing pass. Blair's Sally Kies took three first-half free kicks to put the Badgers on edge, but the Bears still trailed by a goal at the break.
Then, during the first 11 minutes of the second half, Bennington scored twice more. Avynne Cornett's corner-kick header made the score 3-0.
BHS switched up its alignment during the course of the match, moving players around the formations and subbing in players from the bench. Senior Allie Dingfield was among the Bears who got significant time on the field.
“I haven't played a lot this season, so it was great to get to play my last game,” she said. “I'm just proud of how we worked today.”
Blair continued to hustle and finally scored in the 65th minute. Junior Allison Hernandez won the ball and the foot race into the goal box, beating the keeper to cut her team's deficit to two. It was as close as the Bears got, ending the season 7-9.
Still, though, the senior class left the field with lessons learned and hope for their underclassmen.
“It's built my competitiveness and my leadership skills,” Dirkschneider said. “That's all thanks to the girls that are on this team and I wish them good luck in the future.”
“I know the season hasn't gone the way we wanted it to,” Dingfield added. “But there's definitely potential for next year for the rest of the girls.”
Back hopes she and her soon-to-be graduates left a good impression — one that carries through to the state trip she'd hoped for with her fellow seniors.
“The heart and soul of this team, I just hope it never goes away,” she said.
But the 2022 season wasn't just about the future. It was about one more season for the Class of 2022 — the group that lost their sophomore season to COVID-19 and battled for a state spot on the final day of their prep careers.
“Oh gosh, I really enjoyed these four years,” Dirkschneider said, tears welling up in her eyes. “They're going to be a big part of my life and my future.”
