Messenger file photo by Eddie Edwards
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
Westbrook Christian’s run in the 2022 state soccer playoffs ended a game shy of a berth in the state championship game.
The Lady Warriors (19-4) fell to East Limestone, 2-0 in the Class 4A/5A state semifinals on May 12 in Huntsville.
Westbrook out-shot the Lady Indians by an 8-6 margin – including a 3-0 edge in the second half – but could not break through the East Limestone defense. The Lady Warriors for virtually the entire game following Raegan Kelley’s goal off a penalty kick 48 seconds into the match.
East Limestone added some insurance on Brianna Proudfoot’s goal midway through the first half.
“We had two really good opportunities, and we just couldn’t finish,” said Westbrook assistant athletic director Holly Ostendorf. “Against a team like East Limestone, you have to finish when you get an opportunity. Several of our girls weren’t 100 percent healthy, but it just wasn’t our day.”
Sarah Guffey had four shots on goal for Westbrook, while Ella Keene had three.
East Limestone (20-4) lost to Indian Springs, 5-0 in the championship match on May 13.
“To get to Huntsville was the girls’ goal all year, and they accomplished that,” said Westbrook assistant athletic director Holly Ostendorf. “The girls worked really hard and stayed focused, and I’m very proud of them.”
Ostendorf said that the Lady Warriors’ 1-0 victory over Guntersville in the third round was the highlight of the season considering that Westbrook lost to Guntersville on the 2021 quarterfinals by the same score.
“That was what they focused on in every practice this year, so it was very gratifying for them.”
The team’s lone senior, Anna Cate Edwards (pictured above), played for Westbrook as a seventh grader when Westbrook last went to Huntsville, but she did not get to make the trip. She missed most of her junior season due to injury.
“The the rest of the girls really wanted [to get to the Final Four] that for her,” said Ostendorf. “Anna Cate battled back after hurting her foot, and it gave her problems all season this year, but she fought through the pain and led our team well.”