LAKEWOOD — The Jackson girls soccer team was hoping to win its first-ever state title last weekend.
The Timberwolves instead will have to be content to have been the first team in school history to advance to the final four of the Class 4A state championships.
With a little luck, Jackson could have been hoisting the first-place trophy instead of a fourth-place plaque.
The Wolfpack dropped a 2-1 decision to eventual champion Bellarmine Prep in the semifinals and then fell 2-0 to Gonzaga Prep in the consolation finals Nov. 20 at Harry Lang Stadium.
“Out of both games, I truly believe they could have gone either way,” said senior co-captain Kaley Mitchell. “We could have been the state champions but we’re fourth place. That’s just the game of soccer.”
Jackson, which lost a first-round game in its only other state appearance four years ago, led Bellarmine Prep 1-0 with 25 minutes left in the second half but couldn’t sustain its advantage. The Lions went on to annihilate Stadium 5-1 in the finals.
The Timberwolves started out strong against Gonzaga Prep and had five shots on goal in the first four minutes but didn’t connect on any of them. The Bullpups withstood the Wolfpack’s onslaught and then countered with a goal of their own in the sixth minute. Sarah Jennings’ unassisted goal gave Gonzaga Prep a 1-0 lead and seemed to drain much of the energy out of Jackson.
“We should have gotten some goals in there. I’m not sure what happened,” said senior co-captain Katie Waldin. “When that goal went in I think everybody just kind of fell apart.”
Gonzaga Prep’s Alex Butler added an insurance score off an assist by Caitlin Davis at the 62-minute mark.
Jackson coach Michael Bartley could see his players were still feeling the effects of the emotionally and physically draining semifinal loss to Bellarmine Prep.
“We burned ourselves up last night trying to beat Bellarmine Prep,” the second-year Jackson coach said.
The Timberwolves had problems executing the team’s game plan of running, moving and counterattacking in large part due to fatigue, according to Bartley.
The highlight of the weekend for Waldin was the team’s all-out effort against Bellarmine Prep in Friday night’s semifinal.
“I’ve never seen us play like last night,” Waldin said. “The intensity and the drive and the heart that everybody played with was amazing. I’m really proud of everybody.”
Jackson took a 1-0 lead on an unassisted goal by freshman Kristi Kingma in the 51st minute. Bellarmine Prep’s Corrine Baldassin tied the score five minutes later and Dolly Enneking followed with the game-winner off an assist by Erica Stirn at the 72-minute mark.
Even though the Timberwolves had scant postseason experience coming into the semifinals, nerves didn’t seem to be much of a problem.
Jackson probably was more nervous in its district championship game against Monroe, which the Wolfpack won 4-3 in a shootout.
“That game rally set the tone for us. When we won that, that gave us so much confidence,” Waldin said. “Coming down here and playing in the final four we were so confident. I really think that there wasn’t as much nervousness as we expected. We all really pulled together and were mentally ready for it.”
Bartley traces the team’s success to the leadership of co-captains Mitchell, Waldin and junior Dani Oster.
“They just towed the line from telling (the players) what to do on the bus and everything,” Bartley said. “The captains are outstanding. They really led this year. Without Kaley and Katie and Dani, I don’t think we would have been where we’re at.”
Team chemistry was a strength as was a starting lineup that was solid across the board.
“We loved each other. We’re all friends,” Mitchell added. “We had the same goals. That’s what stood out.”
Bartley’s impact also cannot be overlooked, according to Waldin.
Jackson was coming off back-to-back losing seasons when he took over the program. Last year, the Timberwolves won the Western Conference South Division championship, which they successfully defended this season.
“He’s the best coach I’ve ever had in my life,” Waldin said. “He touches every single part of the game — the tactics, the mental side, the toughness — every single aspect of soccer you can imagine and more.”
Mitchell noted that for Bartley, soccer is not just a physical game and his coaching emphasizes the mental part of the sport.
“It’s not just about who can run faster, who has the best skills,” Mitchell said. “It’s about what’s in your head, what makes you think to do certain things.”
Jackson will be graduating four starting seniors but will return its leading scorer (Oster), its starting goalkeeper (sophomore Dee Wood) and several key players, including three freshman starters.
Bartley gathered those players after the loss to Gonzaga Prep and urged them to remember what happened.
“We want to get there (semifinals) and win that game and get to the finals,” Bartley said. “That’s our goal for next year.”
Though Mitchell won’t be around next season, she knows the returning players will want to return to the final four.
“They’ve seen what it’s like and they have a goal,” Waldin said. “If they don’t get here next year they’re going to be really disappointed.”
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