MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - It wasn't disappointment that made GPS senior Ashley Grant cry after Sunday's tough 3-2 loss to Father Ryan in the Division II-AA state soccer championship. Instead, one of the state's most talented forwards admitted she shed tears because of how proud she was of her teammates.
"I am not crying because this is my last game, but because of how hard you guys played and fought," said Grant, a Wofford committment who had a hand in 99 goals (64 goals, 35 assists) in her Bruisers career. "We did not give up and fought until the end. You guys played with a lot of heart."
A previously unbeaten GPS held a 1-0 lead early into the second half at the Richard Siegel Complex, as sophomore Sasha Carbone bent a shot from the left side of the box into the top left corner for a sensational score in the 30th minute.
Father Ryan did not score in the first half against a stout defense which entered the match only allowing 0.33 goals per game. Bruiser seniors Hunter McVay and Erin Marshall were stout defensively in the first half along with sophomore Megan Jones.
Grant was given a second yellow card just 30 seconds into the second half as she collided with the opposing keeper who attempted to cover up a loose ball near the net. Both players involved in the collision would not return the rest of the way.
Father Ryan (12-1) equalized in the 46th minute off a penalty kick by Kelly Tuerff and went ahead 2-1 in the 66th minute off a well-placed corner kick by Olivia Prim. GPS (15-1) tied it in the 73rd minute as star sophomore Kennedy Ball fought her way down the left sideline and chipped an assist over the top to a crashing Sydney Morris, who headed the ball in. The goal was Morris' 53rd in her career to go with 50 assists.
Bruisers' senior keeper Kaedra Thorstenson had a stellar diving save in the 71st minute and had 14 saves over two state tournament matches to lead a defense which set a new school record with only eight goals allowed this season.
Father Ryan's Bradie West fired in the game-winner in the 77th minute. The Fightin' Irish outshot the Bruisers 19-17 in the match including 13-7 in the second half.
"I could not be prouder of the effort they put out all season," Bruisers coach Patrick Winecoff said. "Especially considering we weren't sure we were going to have a season. Even once we started we weren't sure we were going to complete the season.
"If you told me in July, when we couldn't even really train, that we would be in the state final I would definitely have taken that. It's taken a lot of work and effort to get here. A one loss season with no ties is impressive no matter how you finish."
The Bruisers graduate a strong senior class of nine, but are excited about what the future holds.
"This senior class put forth one of the best seasons in school history. They left a strong mark for these girls behind them to follow," Winecoff added. "Kennedy Ball, in my opinion, is the best all-around player in the state and we have a lot of girls coming back who have done big things for us already. Sasha has had a standout year too and will be a leader for us next year as well."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.