By DREW GRANTHUM/For the Reporter

For the Indian Springs’ girls soccer team, their appearance in the 1A-4A Soccer State Semifinals was a tale of two halves; the first saw them keep two-time defending champs Montgomery Academy at bay, holding them to a slim lead as they entered the half.

The second saw their opportunity to play for a state title slowly slip out of their hands, as they fell to the Eagles, 5-0.

The two schools engaged in a defensive struggle throughout the first half, as Indian Springs was aided by less than stellar field conditions, including rain and standing water on the field, but also put on an effort on the defensive side of the ball that slowed the powerful offense of the undefeated Academy.

MA’s Garrett Barnes scored on a Brenna Katz assist at the 15-minute mark, but Indian Springs goalie Emma Knapp totaled four stops in the period and nine for the game.

Still, for all the defense put forth, ISS struggled on offense, logging just five shots the entire game, with only three coming on goal. Knapp, Victoria Saenz, Rachel Motamed, Paula Simonetti and Alice Marson all totaled one shot apiece.

In the end, the Eagles wore ISS down, sending in fresh legs to take full advantage of their depth. They outshot Indian Springs 24-5, with 10 coming in the second half, four of which found the back of the net.

“Obviously we’re frustrated and disappointed we didn’t win,” said ISS coach Hunter Gray. “MA’s got a great team. We don’t feel like we didn’t play our game and that’s why we lost. They put their chances [to score] away.”