money Georgetown girls' first loss was their only loss, but also last loss: Eagles fall at state
GEORGETOWN — It was a special atmosphere at Birkelbach Field on Thursday.
With the Georgetown girls making their first appearance ever in the state soccer tournament on their home field, the Eagles drew a massive crowd that was complemented by an enthusiastic pep band.
But a season that had many magic moments — Georgetown entered the game undefeated — came to a close, with the Eagles not able to take advantage of the scoring chances they created during a 1-0 loss to Frisco in a Class 5A semifinal.
“We just weren’t lucky enough to finish our chances,” Georgetown coach Sam McCutchen said. “I’m really proud of these young ladies. They’ve fought hard, it’s a great season, and they’ve set school history and records.”
Lexi Lee’s first-half goal on a header off a cross from Luci Rodriguez was the difference in the game for Frisco (23-2-2), which will play Grapevine in Saturday’s state title game.
The Raccoons had the majority of possession and controlled the run of play in the first half, but McCutchen’s halftime adjustments made the game even after the break.
The Eagles (25-1-4) ended with only four shots, with senior Mycah Morrow coming close on attempts in both halves. Their best opportunity to score came in the 51st minute, when three players converged on a loose ball in the box, but Frisco goalie Ariana Anderson corralled it just before any of them could get to it.
After the game, the mood around the Georgetown players was one of appreciation for what they had achieved the past three months.
“My freshman year playoffs were canceled due to COVID, then we lost in the first round the last two years, so I didn’t think this would be possible in my life,” said Addie Russu, the senior forward who led the Eagles in scoring this season. “To be able to turn it around and fight for a spot in the state tournament — it made history for me, and I’m proud of everyone.”
The game also brought a close to the career of McCutchen, who is retiring after more than 50 years of coaching the sport.
McCutchen, who also had coaching stints at Westlake and Westwood locally, noted that the setting was a good place for the team to end the year and for him to end his career.
“This is home to us,” he said. “Our goal once we hit the playoffs was, ‘Get back to Birkelbach.’ We accomplished that; we just didn’t get to go to the final game. … This class — I remember when they were little campers and came to the camp in the summer. We’ve worked hard the last eight or nine years. We have a great staff in place, and I’ll miss it.”
As McCutchen steps away, he said he hopes he’s remembered for the impact he had on his players rather than the wins and losses his teams had.
“I hope people know that I love my players,” he said. “And I wish them all the best and success, win, lose or draw. That’s why we do athletics; It’s not to win trophies, but it’s to win hearts and develop young people into becoming responsible adults.”
UIL state tournament
All games at Birkelbach Field, Georgetown High School
Friday
Girls 6A semifinals — Wylie East (28-0) vs. Fort Bend Ridge Point (23-0-5), 9:30 a.m.; Lewisville Marcus (24-1-1) vs. Westwood (13-4-8), noon
Boys 4A finals — Palestine (30-1-1) vs. Hidalgo Early College (27-7-3), 2:30 p.m.
Boys 6A semifinals — Katy Seven Lakes (26-1-1) vs. Garland Sachse (21-6-0), 5 p.m.; Allen (18-2-5) vs. Dripping Springs (14-11-2), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Girls finals — Class 5A at 11 a.m., Class 6A at 4 p.m.
Boys finals — Class 5A at 1:30 p.m., Class 6A at 6:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Georgetown girls fall to Frisco in Class 6A state soccer semifinals
