Kearney High School Girls Soccer v. Millard West, A-5 District Championship 2024 // Mitchell Brandt
KEARNEY – A bittersweet end to the A-5 District Championship still ended on a positive note for the Kearney Girls Soccer program, falling in the title matchup to No. 2 Millard West in a shootout but still earning a state tournament bid in the process. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
The Bearcats (14-3) dropped the contest despite rolling through regulation and overtime without allowing a single score. Millard West (11-6) prevented any easy looks for Kearney, as both teams played to a stalemate through most of the contest.
Each side had multiple corner kick opportunities as well as late free-kick chances on goal through regulation and both overtime periods, but the Bearcats and Wildcats failed to strike in from multiple saves by keepers Kadi Ecklund and Ella Konwinski.
At the end of the second overtime, a penalty kick shootout ensued towards the Kearney north goal, as the Bearcats and Wildcats each scored on their first goal. The second shot for the Bearcats was stuffed by Konwinski, as the save proved to be the deciding factor in the contest as the Wildcats would earn the win in the 4-3 shootout.
Kearney High School Girls Soccer v. Millard West, A-5 District Championship 2024 // Rick Tucker
The Bearcats season did not end, however, as Kearney received a blessing from Lady Luck with all four district leaders in the A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4 districts winning their respective tournaments, giving the Bearcats a state tournament bid by wildcard berth. The State Tournament begins on Monday with matchups yet to be determined until the conclusion of tonight’s district finals.
A full photo gallery from Central Nebraska Today’s Rick Tucker can be found here.
