It was a bittersweet ending on Saturday when the Dodge City High School Demons lost to the Shawnee Mission-Northwest Cougars 2-0 in the consolation match at Class 6A state soccer.
DCHS coach Virgil Hutchcraft and the team felt the disappointment as they walked off the field. Hutchcraft said he is optimistic in that they made it to state, and can do it again next year.
"Just disappointed for the boys," Hutchcraft said. "I know how much they wanted it, and I wanted it for them too. I think it's just a new feel of the game for them. Hopefully we started a tradition and can get back here again. Then the guys that have been here will know what it's about and what it's like and be prepared for it a little more I guess."
In the championship match, Topeka-Washburn Rural (20-1) took home the state crown with a 3-0 win over Lawrence Free State (16-5).
The Demons (16-5), who set a school record for wins in securing their first state berth in team history, may have had the state jitters as they took fourth place overall after losing both of their games.
In their second game of the weekend, Northwest (13-8) went ahead early with a goal with 26 minutes left in the half.
It didn't stop the Demons as they fought hard to tie up the game. But with seven minutes left, the Cougars scored again.
Dodge City trailed 2-0 at the end of the first half.
"I think both games we came out flat," Hutchcraft said. "And in this game, we came out flat in the first half and we paid for it in the second half. We got after them in half time, and they came out with more energy but we just lost our way of scoring and got away from things that worked for us all season long."
The Demons had five shots on goal at the end of the game, but none of them were successful.
Regardless of the loss, Hutchcraft said he still thinks the world of his team.
"The entire team, in the second half, played with a tremendous effort and tremendous heart," an emotional Hutchcraft said. "We're just a team. It's the best team I've ever had.
"Tremendously proud of all the boys and the coaches. All our coaches and assistants were tremendous. And the support we got from our fans was just fantastic. I look forward to getting back at it next season."
Reach Susie Van Heule at (620) 408-9913 or e-mail her at susie.vanheule@dodgeglobe.com
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