Saturday's loss to Nixa not only ended the season for Jefferson City - it was the final game for Lady Jays head coach Matt Stacey.
"You kind of hope you would go out on top or make a run to the Final Four in your last year," Stacey said after the 3-1 defeat in the Class 3 quarterfinals at the 179 Soccer Park.
"But it doesn't always end that way."
Stacey, who will be moving to the administration at one of the middle schools, came to Jefferson City High School in 2002 as an assistant for both the boys and girls programs. He took over as head coach of the Lady Jays in 2007.
Starting just two upperclassmen this season, Stacey led the Lady Jays to just their third quarterfinal appearance in the history of the program.
"The thing that's going to stink the most is that it's a great group of kids and I'm going to miss being around them," he said. "That's the worst part. Leaving coaching is never an easy thing to do, especially when you really like the group you're working with.
"They've got a bright future ahead of them and I will be their No. 1 fan."
No timetable has been announced on naming Stacey's replacement.