Lady Jays soccer loses to Marquette in JC Shootout

Delaney Kaiser of Jefferson City keeps the ball from Kylee Rush of Marquette during Saturday's game in the Jefferson City Shootout at the 179 Soccer Park.
Delaney Kaiser of Jefferson City keeps the ball from Kylee Rush of Marquette during Saturday's game in the Jefferson City Shootout at the 179 Soccer Park.

As time wound down Saturday, it became apparent one break would likely decide the contest.

Unfortunately for the Jefferson City Lady Jays, that break went to the Marquette Mustangs.

Marquette scored with 3:21 remaining in the first overtime period Saturday afternoon in a 1-0 victory against Jefferson City in the final game of the Jefferson City Shootout at the 179 Soccer Park.

"In a lot of ways, we are similar teams," Jefferson City coach Tom Guinn said. "You just had a feeling that the first team to get one into the back of the net was going to have a big advantage.

"I think it was a very good game, they just got the goal and we didn't. We had our chances to win, they had their chances to win."

The Mustangs outshot the Lady Jays 7-4 in the first half and 6-3 in the second 40 minutes. But it was the Lady Jays who had the best chance to score in regulation

"They have a great goalkeeper, she made a few dynamic saves," Guinn said.

The best one came off a corner kick by Jefferson City. Greta Haarmann was there to head the ball into the net, only to have the Marquette keeper leap to tip it up into the cross bar.

"Greta couldn't have headed it any better," Guinn said.

It's the eighth straight game Jefferson City has allowed two or less goals.

"We're defending a lot better than at the start of the season," Guinn said.

It was Jefferson City's first overtime game this season.

"We have nothing to be disappointed about with this result," Guinn said. "The girls have described each game as a building block and this was another building block."

Jefferson City (6-8) will host Sedalia Smith-Cotton on Tuesday.

"It's a potential opponent in the district tournament so there's a lot riding on that game when it comes to seeding," Guinn said.

The JV game will start at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity contest around 6:45 p.m.

Jefferson Ciity will then head to Burlington, Iowa for the Tournament of Champions next Friday and Saturday. The Lady Jays, who will open against Bradley Bourbonnais of Bradley, Ill., at 3:15 p.m. Friday, will play three games in the event.