Hawks fall to two-time champ

Liberty Ranch’s first girls soccer loss of the season came at the most inopportune time for the Hawks in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Woodland in an overtime shootout.

The Hawks lost the shootout 2-0 after the teams tied 1-1 at the end of regulation and an overtime period.

“We haven’t played a team that was as physical as them, and they took advantage in the first half,” Liberty Ranch coach Robert Huarte said. “We reverted to a kickball game in the first half. We readjusted in the second half, pressured real hard and had some good opportunities, but

we couldn’t get it in.”

The loss leaves the Hawks with just one blemish on an otherwise perfect season — 20 wins, one loss and three ties.

“First give credit where credit is due, Woodland is a three-time champion, and that’s phenomenal,” Huarte said. “I told them at the end of the game I didn’t consider it a loss. 80 minutes of play, 120 minutes overtime, it took a PK to decide a winning team. Yes, it reflects as a loss on our record . ... But they accomplished something pretty amazing, for us to go 25 games unbeaten, not a lot of teams can say that.”

The teams traded goals in the first half — one by Woodland, followed by the equalizer from Makenna Brown, off an assist by Gianna Vigna.

After 120 minutes of play — 80 minutes of regulation and another 40 of overtime — the Hawks’ undefeated season rested on the shoulders of sophomore goalkeeper Carson Jackson, who allowed just three goals all season. Jackson blocked two of the four shots she faced, but the Hawks weren’t able to get any in against Woodland goalkeeper Mackenzie Hatanaka.

“She made the save and kept us in it, and even though the next two balls went in, she got a hand on them,” Huarte said. “Unfortunately they went in.

“It’s not a lack of effort by our team, and definitely not a lack of effort by our keeper. Gotta give Carson Jackson credit for being a sophomore in that position.”

Huarte said “intense” was not a strong enough word to accurately describe the atmosphere. It’s a game the Hawks will not forget anytime soon — though maybe they would prefer to.

“I told them I didn’t want this moment to define them,” he said. “I want the season to define them.”

BEA AHBECK/ NEWSSENTINEL Liberty Ranch's Sydney Klink reacts after her team lost their Division 4 championship game against Woodland in Elk Grove Saturday. Woodland won in penalty kicks after overtime.

BEA AHBECK/NEWS-SENTINEL Liberty Ranch players cheer on their teammate during penalty kicks during their Division 4 championship game in Elk Grove on Saturday. The Hawks lost the game in a penalty shootout.