“This year was just about the team,” Rigano said. “We started with losing a lot of seniors and I thought it was going to be like kind of a rough start not being so close to anyone. But as the year went on we got close as ever. It’s just good to be with everyone.”
The Panthers played in their first state final Saturday and lost 2-0 to Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit in the Division I title game. Walsh Jesuit won its fifth straight state title and 10th overall. It’s the most state titles for either boys or girls teams.
“They were good — that’s an understatement,” Rigano said. “I think we played with them pretty well and stuck with it to the end.”
After a scoreless first half in which the Panthers (18-2-3) got into the flow better in the second 20 minutes, they knew they had a chance. But Walsh (23-1) did what Walsh always does and took control. Aubrey Bechter scored with 35 minutes left and Sofia Rossi with 29:27 left. Rossi is the reigning state player of the year with five goals in state finals and will play in college at Wake Forest.
“We just ran out of gas,” Panthers coach Eric Detmer said. “These girls have proved time and time again they can beat adversity, and tonight it was just a little too much. That’s why they’re five-time defending state champs. I thought we gave a good fight all night long.”
The Panthers held out hope because of the resiliency they showed in the postseason. They trailed 1-0 in the district final and 2-0 in the regional final.
“It seemed like every time we got knocked to the ground we always managed to get back up,” Detmer said. “You can’t ask more of the girls. They gave heart, they gave effort, they played together as a team. I couldn’t be more proud of this group.”
The Panthers’ defense has been strong with senior keeper Morgan Ramby holding the line this season, but Walsh was quick and strong with the ball throughout the game.
“We were under pressure most of the night,” Detmer said.
But when the game was over, the pressure was off and the seniors and their teammates, who will no doubt have a goal of making it back to state next year, were happy.
“You can’t really ask for anything else,” Rigano said. “Coming close to everyone and getting this far, making history, it’s just a blast.”
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