BERLIN- The Stephen Decatur girls’ varsity soccer team’s memorable 2014 season came to a close last week with a 3-1 loss to Northern in the state 3A-South Region tournament.
The Seahawks were the top seed in the state 3A-South sectional and earned a first round bye. Decatur won its opening match in the tournament last Tuesday, 3-0, over Northeast to advance to the sectional final. Decatur hosted Northern in the sectional final last Thursday and fell, 3-1, to close out the season.
Northern scored just four minutes into the game to take a 1-0 lead. Decatur with about 22 minutes left in the first half on a goal by Payton VanKirk off an assist from her sister, Lexie VanKirk. The score was tied 1-1 at the half, but Northern finally broke through against a tough Decatur defense with two second half goals to secure the 3-1 win and advance.
Nonetheless, it was remarkable season for the Seahawks and their core of veteran seniors. Decatur went 13-1-1 on the season, their only loss coming against Northern in the state regional tournament. The Seahawks won the Bayside South title and went on to win the overall Bayside Conference tournament.