LA CROSSE, Wis. – Despite two late goals from midfielder Kate Heimer, the St. Thomas women’s soccer team fell to Wisconsin La Crosse Sunday in a penalty shootout 3-0.
After trailing for most of the game, the Tommies (10-1 MIAC, 19-2-1 overall) stormed back with Heimer’s fifth and sixth goals of the season, tying the match 2-2.
“Making sure we kept faith in each other is the reason we scored,” Heimer said. “We believed that we could do it, and we did it. We didn’t give up.”
Midfielder Kate Heimer beats a La Crosse defender to the ball in the corner of the field. Heimer scored twice for St. Thomas in the loss. (Jacob Schneider/TommieMedia)
The Tommies fell behind in the 52nd minute after Eagles (19-2-3) forward Maya Schmitt headed in a goal off a corner kick. La Crosse proceeded to add another in the 65th minute after forward Margaret Harings beat Tommie goalkeeper Olivia Elvidge to a ball in the box.
Heimer scored off a penalty kick in the 81st minute, and then added another in the 87th minute off of a Mary Ennis pass.
“They just continued in believing in themselves,” coach Sheila McGill said. “That belief in each other they’ve had all season long and the care that they have for each other, it all showed. Instead of tearing each other down in moments, they’re picking each other up to prepare for that next moment.”
Despite forcing the Eagles to a stalemate through two overtime periods, the Tommies couldn’t fend off the WIAC regular-season champs in a penalty shootout.
St. Thomas ends its season with a school-record 19 wins, the best record for a MIAC school in the past 12 years. The graduating senior class for the team leaves behind a record of 61-15-6.
“We left everything out on the field,” forward Mallory DeBoom said. “It sucks to say we didn’t win, but we have so much to be proud about from this season.”
Jacob Schneider can be reached at schn6923@stthomas.edu