As now-senior goalkeeper Alli Palmatier made the winning save, every girl on the 2019 St. Dominic varsity soccer team was flooded with happiness as they realized they were state champs!

The 2019 girl’s soccer season was a special one, bringing home the fifth state title in the program’s history. Led by captains Caroline Staebell, Madeline Stewart and Ashely Martinez, the Lady Crusaders made a historic run throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.

The way to the state championship was not an easy task. The girls narrowly bested Liberty 3-2 in overtime in the sectional contest, and then they had to take down Incarnate Word and Kearney, beating them 4-1 and 3-2 respectively. The final match of the season was against Rockwood Summit in Kansas City. Supporters had amazing confidence in the girls, even when they went to overtime tied 1-1.

Two periods of overtime passed with no change in the score. The game went into penalty kicks, and the five shooters from each team ended up evening the score. The game was now in sudden death, with one shooter from each team going up against each other. Recent graduate Rachael Livingston nailed one home, and the save of the year by Palmatier followed! It was a team effort, translating from practices into games. Everyone was totally invested in this run, from the head coach to the players.

“The steps we took to get ready to prepare were practicing how you would play in the game. Every practice was as intense as a game should be,” senior Anna Stiffler said.

Coach Greg Koeller led the girls to an impressive 26-3-1 record on the season. His confidence was never shaken, as he always believed they were going to win state.

“From the beginning, I believed in my team, so entering the state championship was unlike any previous game in that respect,” Coach Koeller said.

This season for the Crusaders was certainly special, posting a stunning record in the regular season, finishing number six in the United Soccer Coaches top twenty-five teams in the nation and capping it all off with a state title!