For the first time since the 2024 season, the Le Mars Community girls soccer team is moving on in the postseason after defeating Storm Lake on Thursday night by the score of 4-1.
After an up-and-down season, the Bulldogs rallied to win their first round match and perform at their best at the right time. Head coach Menkem Mehri says this is the best time to be playing your best soccer.
The Bulldogs and Tornadoes traded goals in the first 30 minutes of the match. Then, with 30 seconds left in the half, Le Mars senior Mya Skov was granted a free kick from over 30 yards out that she capitalized on and buried in the back of the net. She says she felt confident in making a big shot and giving the Bulldogs momentum into the locker room.
That free kick followed a corner kick goal and preceded a penalty kick that the Bulldogs took advantage of to build their lead. Coach Mehri says he was proud of the team for executing in many different types of scenarios.
Skov ended up scoring two goals in the match, but she was assisted by goals from a pair of her teammates in Payton Kerns and Kynlee Schmidt. Skov says it was important that many players have an impact in the match.
While the Bulldogs were scoring goals, they were keeping the Tornadoes from doing the same throughout the second half. Some of those scoring chances would have been executed on had it not been for the goalkeeping effort of Grace Westhoff. Coach Mehri says she has come up big for his team all season.
The win is a big shift for the Bulldogs who had not won a postseason match in two years. Skov says this is a big confidence boost for the team.
Le Mars now moves on to face off with sixth-ranked Bishop Heelan who beat Le Mars 10-0 in the regular season. Coach Mehri says the Bulldogs have to go in with some energy and excitement to avoid being down before they even get started.
Le Mars’ match with Bishop Heelan in the regional semifinal round is set for 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 2.
