CP-U battles but falls in 1st state soccer tourney appearance

MUSCATINE - There were smiles instead of tears, whoops instead of silence.

The Center Point-Urbana girls' soccer team believes it'll be back to state again soon. This was just the beginning.

"Our first year ever at the state tournament," said Brianna Heineman, as she proudly carried a participation trophy after second-ranked Davenport Assumption survived a gritty group of Stormin' Pointers, 1-0, in a Class 1A quarterfinal Thursday morning. "We're all really, really proud of it. There's only two seniors, so we'll be back. For sure."

CP-U (12-7) at least proved it belonged on the same field as its much more highly touted opponent. It was scoreless until the 56th minute, when Assumption freshman Rose Ripslinger slipped past the defense on a breakaway, faked goalkeeper Kaylee Weems down and out and dropped a ball into the open net.

Assumption (19-1) dominated the second half, with virtually all the possession and a ton of offensive chances. Weems and her mates held up as best they could under the intense pressure.

Assumption ended up with 18 shots to CPU's 6.

"It was hard to keep your mind in it, hard to keep positive," said CP-U defender Amanda Greenfield. "It was tough, very tough."

But, again, Greenfield was smiling as she said that. For a program that's only five years old, playing in this game was as accomplishment.

And just the beginning.

"We're only going to get better," Greenfield said.

"I thought the girls stepped up today," said CP-U Co-Coach Todd Mitchell. "Assumption is going to know they played somebody. We can hold our heads high."

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