Glenn’s season ends vs. Marian

MISHAWAKA — John Glenn’s girls soccer team confronted a daunting triple-threat challenge Thursday in the Class 2A Sectional 19 semifinal.

Threat #1: Their opponents’ ranking of the same number.

Threat #2: Their opponents’ home field advantage. Threat #3: The refs getting in the way. (Literally). However, the Falcons refused to nose dive in their upwind struggle with the Marian Knights at ABCO Field.

After the home team’s two rapid goals, the remainder of the match looked bleak. But the Falcons staunchly clawed out the word “surrender” in the dictionary.

Buoyed by stellar defense from seniors Skylar Hooten (D) and Cynthia Galvez (GK), Glenn increasingly pierced the Knights with a varied arsenal. Junior Leena Thomas bombed four bonafide shots in the second half, and finally was able to score off a rebound of Seja Lang’s free kick. Lang narrowly missed a booming goal in another free kick, hitting the crossbar well above the reach of the Knights goalie. Lang led a break away as well, coaxing the ball to the feet of fellow senior Maya Vermillion, whose effort was stymied only by a miraculous Marian save.

Despite last night’s season-ending defeat, Glenn was able to notch a 11-3-1 record, and will see many stars return next year.

• MISHAWAKA MARIAN 5, GLENN 1

CLASS 2A Sectional 19 semifinal

At MISHAWAKA

M - 7’ Olivia White (Mia Garatoni)

M - 8’ Mia Veldman (Olivia White)

M - 43’ Mia Garatoni

M - 51’ Mia Garatoni

M - 59’ Eliana Cruz (Alondra Tavarez)

G - 69’ Leena Thomas

Shots: Glenn 11, Marian 15

Saves: Glenn 3 (Cynthia Galvez), Marian 6 (Ainsley Butler) Fouls: Glenn 6, Marian 5

Corner kicks: Glenn 2, Marian 3

Yellow cards: Glenn 0, Marian 0

Records: Glenn 11-3-1, Marian 13-3-1