Bears soccer girls edged-out of playoffs

AUSTIN — Top-seeded Byron suffered a doleful loss to No. 3-seeded Winona, on Tuesday, October 18, by a 1-2 final tally. The Section 1AA Championship game was contested at Austin’s Westcott Complex, where the Lady Winhawks captured its school’s first soccer section title in the victory.

Winona Coach Katie Pearce, only two years ago, recorded a 1-9 record in her first year at the helm. The Hawks grabbed a 1-0 lead just 93 seconds into the game. But, top-seeded Byron (15-1-3), stayed calm and found the equalizer on a long shot from Payton Satzke with about 12 minutes remaining in the first half. The rest of the first half saw good pace and play, but after half-time, Winona took control.

“The last two years that we played, it was 1-1 and 0-0. So somebody had to break and unfortunately it was us. Tip of the cap to the Winhawks, they will represent our section quite well,” said Bears Coach Jeremy Baumbach. After Byron mishandled a clearance attempt about 45 yards out from goal, the Winhawks pounced on the opportunity and went up 2-1 with circa 26 minutes remaining; and literally, the rest is history.