Penalty kicks decide Miners win on girls senior soccer night

Miners soccer win against Stansbury at PCHS. Photo: Scott Johnson

PARK CITY, Utah — At home at Dozier Field on Thursday night, the Park City High School Girls Soccer Team Miners beat the Stansbury Stallions after regular time with a 1-1, then penalty kicks with a 3-1.

PCHS Girls Miners Soccer on Senior Night. Photo: Jen Johnson

There were nine seniors to celebrate, seven started on the field with two more injured seniors cheering from the sideline. All the girls had all the senior’s names written on their quads in sharpies.

Only one and minute 30 seconds into game, Leah Yager scored from a left-footed shot. It came off an end-line run and cross by Abbie Hanton.

Miners had proficient ball movement and controlled the possession but Stansbury hung on there and kept the goals at bay.

Stansbury tied it up with only seven minutes left in the game. Miners had a chance to score off a free kick in the last minute but couldn’t find the back of net.

Two 10 mins halves of overtime led to a penalty shootout. Stallions shot first and scored. Senior Leah Yager went first for Park City and scored. Stallions missed wide. Junior Caroline Retzer buried her penalty kick (PK) into the corner. Stallions hit the crossbar and missed. Kendall Hassel converted her PK from the spot. Stallions PK went over crossbar giving the Miners the shootout victory 3-1.

Senior Leah Yager told TownLift, “It felt pretty awesome. This game wasn’t about me it was a team thing. It was so great to have so much support from the fans. Such a fun night.”

“Tonight was a special night to be a Miner. We knew that Stansbury was going be a battle and to have this game happen under the lights, on Senior Night, with an awesome turnout of students and the soccer community set the tone for what was an epic battle,” Anthony DiCicco, head coach, told TownLift.

“I thought we played well, but the margins in a game like this are incredibly thin and full credit to Stansbury for the way they responded to us going up early after a great cross from Abby Hanton and a composed finish by Leah Yaeger,” DiCicco said. “But they got a chance late and pushed the game into extra time and ultimately penalties and for our three players; Leah, Caroline Retzer and Kendall Hassel, to be able to step up to the spot and score their penalties was the perfect capstone for an incredibly memorable game and night at Dozier. We love playing in games with stakes like this one and finding a way to win will further prepare us for the final stretch of the season as we continue to work to get better and prepare ourselves for the postseason. I’m extremely proud of all of our players and especially our Seniors who have meant so much in the evolution of this program over the past couple of years.”