Modesto Christian’s storybook soccer season falls short of section title

The emotions finally caught up to coach Jason Hardy and the Modesto Christian girls soccer team.

But those weren’t tears of frustration following a thrilling 2-1 loss to Capital Christian in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI final on Saturday morning at Cosumnes Oaks.

Jessica Groen scored an acrobatic goal with about 20 minutes left and the upstart Crusaders rallied around injured midfielder Carsyn Hoogendoorn to keep the top-seeded Cougars on edge.

Modesto Christian was a surprise finalist, a team comprised of an unlikely assortment of players. Hardy’s bunch features only a few with club experience. The majority are athletes culled from other sports on the campus, including cheerleaders, basketball players and track athletes.

The result has been a fun-filled ride to the section finals.

No, those weren’t tears of joy. Not even close.

“The girls were crying. I was crying,” Hardy said. “They gave it everything they had.

“We were never supposed to come this far, and to do what we accomplished in such a short time? I’m so proud of these girls.”

Capital Christian's potent offense never got on track against Modesto Christian, a program that couldn’t even field a varsity team two years ago.

The Cougars routed Holt Academy in the semifinal 10-0, but mustered just six attempts on frame against Jaclyn Warwick (four saves) and the Crusader back line.

Still, staked to a 2-0 lead, Capital Christian looked well on its way to another shutout postseason victory.

A hard foul turned the tide.

Hoogendoorn, a captain and club player (Manteca Futbol Club) was tackled and injured with about 20 minutes left in the match, revving up the Modesto Christian attack.

The Crusaders emptied the tank, too.

“It motivated our girls. That’s when we came alive,” Hardy said. “They were scared to death. They’re obviously a good comp team playing high school. They did well, but our girls played well until the end.”

Rachel Smith cut the deficit to 2-1 with a pin-point cross. Groen met the ball in the air, using her knee to redirect it on frame.

“They were shocked. It literally took them the final 20 minutes to regroup,” Hardy said of the goal. “They were running and panicking. I thought we would score again.”

They nearly did.

In the final moments, Macey Calloway received a ball on the far side and broke toward goal with a 2-on-1.

The scoring chance was broken up at the top of the 18-yard box, bringing Modesto Christian’s storybook season to a close.

The Crusaders finished 11-4-6, one step shy of the program’s fourth section championship and first in nearly a decade.

“I’ve never had so many people come up to me from around the Sac-Joaquin Section and say how fun we were,” Hardy said. “They were impressed with our fight.”

This story was originally published May 16, 2015 at 1:46 PM with the headline "Modesto Christian’s storybook soccer season falls short of section title."