Closing surge

Sometimes, proficiency isn’t rewarded with positive outcomes.

Such was the case for Jay County on Thursday. After a tough break, the Patriots couldn’t produce a concrete result to break the tie late in the match, but their offensive onslaught in the game’s final stages gave plenty of reason for optimism.

The Jay County High School girls soccer team had to settle for a 1-1 draw in a clash with the visiting Yorktown Tigers.

“The girls played with a lot of heart tonight, I felt like,” said Jay County coach Kendra Muhlenkamp. “When (Yorktown) scored because of a handball in the box, we played the best 20 minutes of soccer that we’ve played in a while.”

Throughout the second half, but especially in the final 19 minutes after Yorktown (7-5-1) evened the score at 1-1, Jay County (7-4-1) played inspired soccer, owning the vast majority of the possession and generating a slew of chances.

That finishing flurry was queued up by the desire to rally back after an instance of ill fortune, when Patriot defender Emma Hatzell was whistled for a handball in the box with 19:21 remaining in the match, resulting in a penalty kick.

Harper Mitchell stepped up to the penalty spot and steered the ball into the right side of the goal as Jay County goalkeeper Maleah Parsons lurched the wrong way.

“I’m not sure if the ref was in the right location for it to be called a handball,” Muhlenkamp said. “But regardless, it happened, they made their shot.”

Aside of the penalty, Jay County’s suffocating defense didn’t give up many dangerous chances to the Tigers. Parsons was capable when called upon, logging three saves, but the Patriots largely suppressed a Yorktown offense that initiated a bevy of counter-attacking chances throughout the match.

It was a significant turnaround for a defensive unit that was benched toward the end of Tuesday’s 7-0 loss to Delta due to communication issues.

“Today, I felt like they had a little fire under them,” Muhlenkamp said. “They had a desire to want to be out there the entirety of the game.”

Not only did the defensive unit play well enough to stay on the field, but they even contributed to the offensive effort. Especially during the closing stages, when the squad was firing on all cylinders, the midfielders often shifted the ball back to the defenders, trusting the back line to ignite the attack.

One standout in that regard was junior Araitz Lekue Magro, who used her prior experience to aid her versatility.

“I used to play in another position when I was young,” Lekue Magro said. “So that may help too. At the time, going up, through the field.”

Though the defense held firm throughout the contest, the Patriot offense had a hard time generating consistent looks throughout much of the match.

“Yorktown’s defense was really tough, and their pressure was tough, so it was hard to get an open look,” Muhlenkamp said. “Even shooting a ball from long, it was hard to get an open look, so I applaud them for that, but I’m proud of my girls for getting a ball in the net.”

The Patriots got that ball in the net late in the opening half. With the score tied 1-1, Aixa Lopez knifed through the Tiger defense and sliced a cutback cross to London Lloyd in front of goal. While Lloyd’s shot was saved, the rebound caromed to the feet of Avery Snow, who calmly guided the ball inside the left post to put Jay County in front.

“I saw that the ball ricocheted off the goalie,” Snow said. “And coach always says to crash, and since the ball’s coming to me I just thought I had a good angle to shoot and make the goal, and it just happened to go in.”

While the lone Patriot goal was the highlight of Snow’s day, the freshman showcased her ability and versatility throughout the match, shifting between forward and an attacking midfield partnership with the dangerous Lopez. While the precocious Snow credited mixing things up in practice and getting to know her teammates for her strong play, Muhlenkamp touted the youngster’s innate abilities.

“Something you can’t really teach soccer players too well — it’s something they have to learn for themselves — is positioning and getting in the open windows, and Avery’s got a natural feel for that,” Muhlenkamp said.

While Snow’s goal didn’t ice out the Tigers, the Patriots left the conflict with a sectional foe with high hopes for the upcoming postseason.

“This is a team that I feel like if we play again, definitely get the outcome we want … If we play that last 20 minutes for 80 minutes, I think we’ll give everyone a run for their money in the sectional,” Muhlenkamp said.