Grandview rallied around D.O.T. all season. And Wednesday night, it crossed the T of its second consecutive Class 5A girls state title with a 2-1 victory over Mountain Vista at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Avianne Burris broke the 1-1 tie with just over 20 minutes remaining as the junior midfielder launched her left-footed shot over sophomore goalkeeper Kylee Love from the top of the box off an assist from senior forward Mandi Duggan, who had worked her way down by the endline.
“Our saying all year was D.O.T., which was ‘Defend Our Title,’ ” coach Tari Wood said. “That was their goal the entire season.”
The Wolves’ first goal came off a combination from two senior midfielders. Madalyn Germann headed a throw-in from sophomore defender Allie Zerr, and as the ball descended from Germann’s tap, it took a hop over Love, who misjudged her approach.
Senior midfielder Melanie Jenkins then headed her fourth goal of the season into an uncontested net with 23 minutes until halftime.
Mountain Vista, however, continued its perseverance toward putting one past the Wolves — a feat no team had accomplished against the Grandview in the playoffs.
Junior midfielder Haley Schueppert broke through with 10:45 left on a penalty kick after she was slide-tackled inside the box from behind.
The Golden Eagles almost took a second-half lead when junior forward/midfielder Katie Joella, who had settled into Grandview sophomore goalkeeper Reagan McCombs’ living room, received a crossing pass from freshman midfielder Taeya Schueppert and chipped it with almost enough precision to find the back of the net.
McCombs instead climbed the ladder and plucked the shot, then brought it down to her knees as she landed sideways with her head over the goal line.
On the Golden Eagles’ ensuing possession, Joella raced down the right side and sent a shot that beat McCombs’ outstretched right arm but sliced wide left.
Burris’ deciding goal was one of pure reaction.
“I didn’t know if Mandi passed it to me but I was like, ‘I’m going to go for it,’ ” Burris said. “I didn’t know if it went in but I turned and everyone was screaming. It was a great moment.”
