Lee pitches shutout as Gorman wins 4A championship

RENO — Hannah Lee didn’t play the past two seasons for Bishop Gorman, but her performance in the net Saturday led the Gaels to a state championship.

Gorman scored three times in the second half to beat McQueen 3-0 and win the Class 4A girls state soccer title at North Valleys.

Lee played for the Gaels (23-2-2) as a freshman, but didn’t play the past two years because she competes in a club league and wasn’t allowed to also play high school soccer. But that rule was changed this season, and Lee rejoined the team.

She immediately sensed the Gaels were capable of something special.

“We just meshed together so well the first day. I just knew we were going to do something great,” Lee said.

Gorman coach Doug Borgel said Lee’s presence was a difference-maker.

“We’ve had good goalkeepers almost every year, and this year is no exception,” Borgel said. “But to have somebody come out with her experience, being a senior, her leadership, obviously paid dividends for us.”

Lee, who has committed to play at Wyoming, pitched shutouts in both games of the state tournament but in much different fashions.

Against Galena on Friday, the Gaels dominated possession and kept the ball away from Lee for most of the game, though she made a leaping save on what could have been a game-tying goal in the final minute.

But in the championship game, McQueen (16-3-2) kept the pressure on Lee, particularly in a first half in which both teams had several scoring chances.

In the 29th minute, Lee made a diving save in front of the corner of the net, taking the ball off the foot of McQueen attacker Carly Waller and preserving a scoreless tie.

“I was getting that ball and she was not getting it,” Lee said.

Gorman finally scored in the second half with Taylor Cox converting in the 43rd minute.

“It gave us a lot of momentum, and it told us that we could keep going and get another one and another one, and that we had this,” Cox said. “It told us that we could win it.”

Jaden Terrana scored the second goal off a deflection by McQueen goalie Isabel Warren in the 66th minute, and Cox capped the scoring on a breakaway in the 72nd minute.

“I really wanted to win it, especially since it’s my senior year and I can’t contribute anymore to my team,” Lee said. “I’m almost at a loss of words because this is so exciting.”