GPS forward Kennedy Ball pressures the Father Ryan goal in the second half.
photo by Greg Davick
The Bruisers of GPS gave up an early goal Friday night in the Division II-AA girls state soccer championship but they would score the last with 4 minutes left to earn their first state title since 2014.
Father Ryan's Bradie West scored a goal in the third minute to give the Irish an early 1-0 lead.
GPS would score the next two. The game tying goal came just minutes before halftime when Ashley Grant scored on a pass from Sydney Morris.
GPS took a 2-1 lead in the 52nd minute when Morris scored off a Kennedy Ball assist.
The Bruisers would hold that lead until the 73rd minute when Father Ryan's West scored her second goal to tie the game.
Less than two minutes later, senior Lane Lawrence took a long free kick that whizzed by Father Ryan keeper Allison Kirchhoff.
The Bruisers were able to hold off the late attack from Father Ryan to earn the win.
GPS finishes the year with a 13-1-3 overall.