AURORA — Since the Grandview girls soccer team already is clearing space in the school’s trophy case for the Centennial League crown, it would have been understandable if the Wolves shifted into cruise control for their conference finale against Smoky Hill.
While Grandview was unable to continue its season-turning winning streak, the Wolves did nothing to diminish their stature as one of the Class 5A’s hottest teams.
Eighth-ranked Grandview battled No. 5 Smoky Hill to a 1-1 draw Thursday at Legacy Stadium. The tie snapped the Wolves’ seven-game winning streak but did not end the momentum they have collected after suffering through a 2-4 start.
Grandview (9-4-1, 6-0-1) began its turnaround after suffering a 10-2 loss April 7 against one of the top teams in the nation, Liberty High School of Missouri.
“I have eight players that are now seniors that were on JV last year and they had to get in sync,” Grandview coach Tari Wood said. “We went to Kansas City and we played against the best player (Kaysie Clark of Liberty, Mo.) in the nation. They were phenomenal and we let one girl (Shea Groom) score seven goals. After that game, we were losing 2-0 in our next game, but we turned it around and we haven’t stopped since.”
Grandview struck first late in the first half, with freshman Maddie Rodriguez scoring her first varsity goal off a long feed from Maddie Yoswa. Smoky Hill, which played without three injured starters, answered with 1:03 remaining in the half on an unassisted goal by University of Denver recruit Anna Willis.
The Buffaloes (10-2-1, 4-2-1) enjoyed the best scoring opportunity in overtime, but Michaela Herrmann’s header attempt off a corner kick was saved by Grandview’s Sam Molnar with seconds remaining in the first overtime.
Smoky Hill 1 0 — 1
Grandview 1 0 — 1
Goals — G, Rodriguez (Yoswa), 33rd minute; SH, Willis (unassisted), 38th minute. Shots on goal — SH, 2-2-1-0—5; G, 1-4-0-1—6. Saves — SH (Ladyga 5); G (Molnar 4). Corner kicks — SH, 1-1-2-2—6; G, 2-3-0-0—5. Fouls — SH, 2-6-1-0—9; G, 4-3-0-0—7. Yellow cards — SH, Jones.
