Simley Girl's Soccer Season Ends With Heartbreaking Loss

Less than 24 hours after Simley High School soccer star Jill Richgels earned the title of Class A Ms. Soccer Minnesota, the reality of the accomplishment still had not set in for the senior standout. Richgels and her teammates were still stinging from last week's heartbreaking, 3-2 double overtime loss to New Life Academy (NLA) in the Section 4A semifinals.

"I am humbled and proud to win this award," said Richgels. "But it hasn't really sunk in yet. I know our team worked really hard this year and our main goal was to make it to state. It's unfortunate we didn’t accomplish that goal. We had a good group and we really wanted to accomplish that, but since we didn't make it to state, it's nice to win this honor."

In that playoff game the Spartans trailed NLA 2-0 at halftime, but a goal by Sydney Knutson (assisted by Richgels) at the 54th minute and a goal by Richgels (assisted by Rachel Rud) in the 68th minute forced overtime. The two teams battled back and forth until NLA scored in the 95th minute of the second overtime, leading the third-seeded Eagles to the upset win over the second-seeded Spartans. NLA eventually lost in the section finals to South Saint Paul, 1-0.

"New Life Academy came out strong," said Simley coach Cassie Husemann. "They played like they were the underdog, as if they had nothing to lose, and it showed.  They dominated the first 25 minutes but after they scored that second goal we finally started to play our game. At halftime I let the team know that I believed in them and that they were not out of this and that with the half change, we would now have the wind. The second half was our half, we dominated play and control of the ball, allowing them no shots on our goalie, Kelly Chandler. We blistered them with shots off of throw-ins, corners and directly, but their goalie played her very best and kept her team tied, which brought the game to overtime. We had so many opportunities but just couldn't sneak one past their keeper. “

The winning goal came from a shot about 30 yards out and through a stiff wind, beating the Simley goalie high and leaving the Spartans in "shock and disbelief," said Husemann.

Despite the loss, it was a successful season for the Spartans. Simley finished the season 11-6-1 and in third place in the Classic Suburban Conference with a 6-3-1 record. Richgels, who has committed to Division I Creighton University, led the team with 22 goals, while Natalie Battis led the team with 11 assists.

Husemann recalled numerous highlights from the season - among them were a 5-4 come-from-behind win over Hastings on August 30, a 6-6 tie against Henry Sibley on September 1, beating North Saint Paul for the first time since Husemann has coached the team and a six-game winning streak from Sept. 27 - October 18 where the Spartans outscored opponents 24-3. Simley scored 65 goals in 18 games this year and 17 of the team's 20 players scored points this season.

The Spartans lose 10 seniors from this year's varsity team, including Richgels, who was also named All-State by the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association, and Knutson, who was named All-State Honorable Mention and has committed to Winona State.

"Our entire senior squad impressed me," said Husemann. "This was the biggest roster I have carried in my coaching career and with the senior leadership, the underclassmen learned our processes quickly which will be a big benefit next year when they have to step up and fill those senior leadership roles."

Added Richgels: “Even though we fell short of state I'm really proud of how everyone played,” she said. “We played like a team and that made it a fun team to be on."