Eagles Take Fourth in State

FENTON - Fourth place isn't such a bad place.     

That's the way the Orchard Farm High soccer team feels after dropping a 3-2 decision to Pembroke Hill on Saturday afternoon in the Class 1 third-place game at the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton.     

The Eagles, making their first-ever appearance in the Final Four, were hoping for better results. They lost to eventual second-place finisher St. Vincent 6-2 in a semifinal match on Friday.     

Still, the Orchard Farm players held their heads high as they left the pitch under the searing 94 degree temperatures.     

"When you think about it, it's still awesome to be fourth among all the other teams in the state," said junior Brooke Burckhardt.     

Added junior Alexis Robbers, "I bet a lot of other teams are wishing they could be where we are right now,"    

The Eagles end the most successful athletic season in the 52-year history of the St. Charles County school with a 17-9 record.    

 "They've got a lot to be proud of," said Orchard Farm coach Brandon Cox. "This is quite an accomplishment."    

Orchard Farm dominated play early and held a 1-0 lead in the second half on Saturday before the roof caved in. Pembroke Hill junior Camille Christie tied the game with 31 minutes left. She then took control up top with two goals in a 70-second span late in the half to put her team in control 3-1.    

Robbers tallied on a penalty kick with 2:22 left in regulation. Her school-record 30th goal of the season brought the Eagles to within 3-2.    

But Orchard Farm managed just one shot the rest of the way,    

 "We just ran out of gas," said Cox.    

"It was hot," added Burckhardt. "But that's no excuse."    

Orchard Farm bolted to a 1-0 lead on a highlight-reel goal from junior Sareen Dargahi in the 43rd minute. Dargahi, one of the anchors of the defense, scored her first goal of the season on a well-placed shot from 37 yards out. She positioned the ball perfectly over the outstretched fingertips of Raiders goalie Elizabeth Starr.    

The lead lasted just 5:17. Christie tied it by beating Orchard Farm junior keeper Abby Gruendler off a nifty pass from Audry Newell.    

Pembroke (14-14) took the lead for good when Eagles midfielder Claire Liston accidentally put the ball in her own net with 10:55 remaining. Liston was trying to clear a cross from Christie.    

The bad break seemed to deflate the Eagles, who controlled play the first 45 minutes of the match but had little left in the tank at the end.   

"We've got to be in better shape next time," said Burckhardt. "And there will be a next time."    

Orchard Farm came from out of nowhere to grab the No. 4 spot among 53 Class 1 teams state-wide. The Eagles served notice by winning their first nine matches of the season by combined scores of 38-10. They posted a revenge victory over Winfield to win the school's first district title. They also outlasted perennial toughie John F. Kennedy Catholic 4-3 in overtime to reach the Final Four.

"This is a season we will never forget," said Robbers. "But it's not the last time we'll be here."    

Cox agreed, "I'd like to think we're starting something here that we should be able to keep going."    

Orchard Farm loses just two key seniors from this year's squad. Standout midfielder Andrea Liston, who finished with 22 assists, will be sorely missed.    

But Robbers and Burckhardt, one of the top one-two punches in the state, will return. Defenders Casey Mann and Dargahi should once again anchor a strong backline. Gruendler, who improved steadily as the campaign went along, could develop into a top-notch keeper.    

Burckhardt and her teammates, whom she calls, "small town superstars," were already talking about next season just minutes after the loss.    

"We're going to work our butts off to get back here," Robbers said. "Hopefully, next time, we'll be No. 1."