Assumption too much for Center Point-Urbana in 1A girls’ soccer championship

DES MOINES- As the seconds ticked toward the end of Center Point-Urbana's Class 1A state title loss to Davenport Assumption, the Stormin' Pointers co-head coaches started to put some subs in.

Down 3-0 - which would be the final - it was obvious there would be no comeback in the cards and, like they had all season, they wanted to get as many players into the game as possible. A tough, hard-fought game there was disappointment and sadness in the CPU players' faces, but there was something else too - a sense they belonged here now.

'I think a lot of people looked down on us because we were tiny Center Point and we honestly hadn't gotten that far in state in the past,” junior midfielder Abigail Weideman said. 'I think getting this far, it really showed what we can do as a team.”

Certainly, the Pointers weren't completely new at this. They've been to the state tournament five times in their 12 years as a program and made it to the state semifinals in 2013.

The state title game was as far as the team had gotten, however. It certainly meant something. Even more, this is a young team - 59 of this season's 75 goals are from players who will return next season.

CPU has tasted greatness and that's an appetite not easily filled.

'We're already planning for next year,” co-head coach Todd Mitchell said. 'The future looks bright and tomorrow we start planning for next year.”

There will be plenty of time and things to digest from Saturday's state championship tape.

Assumption struck early and often, scoring its first goal in the 8th minute as Sully Kelly slid a ball past Stormin' Pointers keeper Lauren Dufoe. A couple nice passes set up Kelly's shot, the last coming from Livy Lansing.

Throughout the game, the Knights' passing was nearly immaculate and they controlled the game for long stretches. CPU struggled to get any sort of sustained ball control and while there were a few opportunities, it was clear who dominated possession.

Lansing added her own goal in the 21st minute and the game stayed 2-0 until halftime. The Pointers were able to create a bit more offense in the last 10 minutes of the first half, but couldn't get anything on net.

In fact, CPU had just two shots on goal during the entire game - one in each half.

Carly King added one last goal for the Knights in the 61st minute after putting tremendous pressure on the CPU defense with several attacks. Assumption, which won its second straight and eighth all-time state title, ended up with 29 shots, 13 of which were on goal.

'Assumption's very good at making their opponents make mistakes,” Mitchell said. 'Any little breakdown, they took advantage. We had a few looks, we tried to force it and you really can't do that with a team like this.”

l Comments: jordan.hansen@thegazette.com