A district finals shootout loss is the worst.
In Friday’s Division 4 district final game on the Rams’ home pitch, the Charlevoix varsity girls soccer team lost 3-2 in shootouts to Harbor Springs (7-12-3). Harbor Springs won its second consecutive district title.
Despite losing, Charlevoix head coach Peter Scholten was proud of the girls.
The Rayders had many injuries this season and barely recovered before districts. Injured Rayders senior Mikayla Sharrow missed the first three weeks of the season.
Scholten noted the injuries allowed bench players to play and grow. “I was glad we got everybody back because we were peaking at the right time.”
Charlevoix lost and tied the Rams in the regular season, but a third meeting is always different. Scholten encouraged his team to give their all before the game.
Claire Scholten fired a long ball to Mikayla Sharrow, who scored 12 seconds into the first half. Sharrow scored her second goal midway through the first half after Blaise Sytsma-Reed assisted.
Scholten stated they knew Harbor Springs was unsafe. “A 2-0 lead wasn’t comfortable.”
The Rams started the second half with momentum, but after a scramble, they scored to narrow the gap.
Harbor Springs equalized with another goal. The Rayders scored in OT, but a hazardous play near the goaltender nullified it.
Charlevoix junior goalkeeper Addison Boop played well. Boop blocked many Rams shots in regulation. She conceded three shootout goals.
Scholten stated the Rayders (7-11-1) lost to challenging opponents from various categories. Scholten watched his squad improve after losing 6-0 and 3-0 to Lake Michigan Conference champion Elk Rapids.
“That was a good hard-fought game, and I saw that we were peaking after beating Glen Lake, but I knew we would have to dig deep against Harbor Springs,” Scholten said.
Five Rayders starters are graduating. Three seniors started, but injuries prompted the Rayders to play the bench. They’re hopeful about next season.
Sharrow joined the squad as a freshman, although Scholten had known her since childhood. Scholten termed Sharrow difficult.
Scholten says she played last season with a broken collarbone. She played with a splint after the Glen Lake game. She’s one of my hardest and most determined players.
Harbor Springs plays Midland Calvary Baptist in the regional semifinals at Big Rapids High School.