Regional Heartbreak for Colfax-Mingo Girls Soccer
The Colfax-Mingo girls soccer program entered the 1A Region 7 semifinals with a stellar 25-6 record over the last two seasons, but their playoff run stalled once again as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against GCGR at home.
The match began with both sides trading chances, and Meadow Lane found the net in the 35th minute to level the score at 1-1. At halftime the teams were deadlocked, but GCGR surged ahead in the final five minutes, scoring twice to claim victory.
Coach’s Reflection
Coach McKinzie Tjaden admitted that the team may have underestimated their opponents and struggled to maintain intensity after the break, a factor that proved costly in the closing stages.
GCGR’s Karina Arvizu-Ersland was the decisive figure, netting all three goals for her side, including the game‑winning penalty kick in the 78th minute. The penalty stemmed from a yellow‑card incident in the box that forced Emmalyn Buchman into a save that could not preserve the tie.
Despite the loss, several Tigerhawks delivered standout performances. Sydney Veasman, who stepped in as a makeshift goalkeeper for the penalty, and junior defender Macie Porter anchored a backline that limited GCGR’s chances for much of the game. Buchman finished with six saves, ending the season with a total of 120 stops.
Statistically, GCGR held an 8-7 edge in shots and a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal during the first half, while Colfax-Mingo out‑shot their rivals 9-2 in the second half, with six of those attempts on target. Corner kicks favored GCGR 7-2, underscoring the pressure the Tigerhawks applied late in the contest.
The defeat marks the second consecutive season the team has fallen short of advancing to the state tournament, a milestone that still feels just out of reach. Nevertheless, the program’s consistent excellence, highlighted by Lane’s 51st goal of the season — tied for second in 1A — signals a bright future for the squad.