Skyline nearly pulls off stunner, falls 1-0 in regional final

Posted: Sat, Jun 12, 2010 : 11:27 p.m.

Topics: Prep Sports , Ann Arbor North , Ann Arbor West , Sports

Skyline High School goalkeeper Maria Meyer puts her head in her hands as the final minute of Skyline's season ticks off the clock in a 1-0 loss to Livonia Ladywood. (Photo: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

TRENTON - The Skyline High School girls soccer team's magical run to an MHSAA Division 2 regional final finally came to a halt Saturday night.

All along, the Eagles have been looked at as the team that was defying logic. How could a team comprised completely of freshmen and sophomores compete with upperclassmen-laden squads?

But looking at the flowing tears and upset faces after Skyline lost to Livonia Ladywood 1-0 at Trenton High School, it was clear the Eagles weren't satisfied with simply getting this far.

More Coverage on MLive.com: This Article & Photo Gallery Boxscore | Division 2 Bracket

"We know, and we've preached this all along, this is not a one-time occurrence. These aren't our 15 minutes of fame. We're not going to disappear," said Skyline coach Chris Morgan.

"But right now they're quite frustrated. No matter what I say, it really won't sink in until later that, wow, we did some good things this year. I really don't know of any JV teams that have gone to the regional finals."

A major reason for the post-game reaction was no doubt the fact that Skyline (9-3-2) was literally inches from taking the game into overtime twice within the last seven minutes of the game.

After a corner kick and initial save by Ladywood (14-4-4) keeper Madeline Reed,

Rachel Johnston nearly equalized for Skyline in the final minutes. (Photo: Lon Horwedel)

Skyline's Rachel Johnston was steps from the goal-line with the ball at her feet, and with Reed defenseless on the ground.

Somehow, a Ladywood defender managed to clear the ball from the goal-line before Johnston could put it in.

Minutes later, Skyline sweeper Emily Anderson - who had pushed up in an attempt to generate offense in the last 15 minutes - received a through ball inside the box with nothing but Reed in her way.

Anderson ripped a low shot on target, but Reed came up with the save.

"Honestly, we could have won it, the one right on the corner there on the post and then my girl going in one (versus) one with the keep," Morgan said. "The keeper made a good save."

Reed finished with four saves.

The game's only goal came in the 27th minute when Kelly Capoccia hit a relatively unassuming ball toward the Skyline net from the top of the arch of the penalty area.

Skyline keeper, Tori Norris. (Photo: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

It appeared as though Skyline keeper Tori Norris would make the save, but the right-footed shot curved late and fell just outside the reach of Norris and in the lower left-side netting.

"I thought that their team was really good and I thought that we would have to play very well to beat them. And I thought that happened," said Ladywood coach Ken Shingledecker. "We took care of business, got the goal, then our keeper came up big and we had a big defensive stop on the goal-line.

"It just all came together."

Norris finished with three saves.

Skyline backup keeper Maria Meyer had three saves, replacing a yellow-carded Norris at the end of the first half and at the end of the game, when she received her second yellow and was sent off.

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by e-mail at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter@petcunningham.