Lady Loggers make history at Saturday soccer playoff game

The Lady Logger soccer team's season ended with a 3-1 shootout loss in Belgrade on Saturday, going further into the playoffs than any other Lady Logger soccer team.

The Loggers opened their State semifinal match against the Panthers with decisive offense and quick control of the game.

Anna Valentine slipped through Panther defense with a hard drive into the back of the Panther goal, with help from an assist by Kaila Forster in the 21st minute, amid stunned silence from the Panther stands and cheers from the Logger section.

The Loggers continued to control the game, but the Panthers found a hole in the 36th minute for a goal.

Jaime Gilden, Rachael Sweedman, Lindsey Kehn, and Ashley VanHoose commanded the middle, while the Logger defense of Trista Berget, Quinn Wilson, Nickole Lapka, and Brittany Martin stopped the quick Panther offense in their tracks.

The first half ended in a 1-1 tie.

The Panthers came out stronger in the second half, and wrestled control of the game from the Loggers.

The second half ended evenly matched and still tied 1-1.

The game moved into 2 10-minute overtime periods, ending with the game still tied.

In the penalty kick shootout, the Panthers made 3 penalty kicks to the Logger's 1 to advance to the State title match.

Logger goalkeeper Audra Poppen had a spectacular game, making 12 saves, including a few from the goal line.