Josh Jones is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain Pointe High School for AZPreps365.com.

Mountain Pointe soccer had a strong push in the final minutes of a 4-0 loss to the Ironwood Eagles in front of a loud crowd on the Eagles’ senior night Monday in Glendale.

The field was tilted in favor of Ironwood for most of the game, but the Pride kept battling in their last game of the season. With the clock winding down under six minutes, the Pride repeatedly struck down the field and created scoring chances.

The first two goals of the game scored by Ironwood, took place in the final seven minutes of the first half. The goals were scored just 3 minutes, 14 seconds apart from each other as the Eagles continued to apply pressure. The Pride found themselves caught in their own end of the field for most of the first half despite a few rushes.

At halftime, Pride forward Haley Jeske tried rallying her team in the huddle.

“Let’s get some energy, let’s go! We can come back from this,” said Jeske.

The second half, however, began with more pressure from the Eagles. Coach Christina Daigle began switching things up during the second half in hopes for a spark. The Mountain Pointe seniors were subbed in for their final minutes as members of the team.

At 36:08 of the second half, Ironwood forward Christyna Armijo scored her second goal of the game making the score 3-0. Less than five minutes later, Ironwood striker Ava Clark netted her second of the game and put her team up 4-0.

With less than a minute remaining, Jeske checked in for one final time. The clock ticked down, reaching zeros, and the game was over. Despite not being able to finish with a victory, there was a lot to reflect on and be proud of for the Pride.

“I think that this team just fought for each other, worked hard for each other and they were close off the field,” said Daigle.

The senior class was especially one to remember, Daigle said.

“They’re probably my favorite senior class just because of the amount of passion and heart they have for the game,'' she said. "It just reminded me of myself in high school and how much passion and heart I had for the game.”

Pride goalkeeper Charlotte Morrison played her last game for Mountain Pointe but not in the way she had envisioned. Morrison sustained an injury that took her out of goal earlier in the season. Morrison led the 5A San Tan region and ranked 23rd statewide with 110 saves. She wound up playing as a forward on Monday night.

“I was sad that I broke my finger and couldn’t play in goal, but it was nice to play on the field one more time,” said Morrison. “It was the first season I had played in a long time, and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else.”

Alongside Morrison throughout the season was Jeske, a key leader for this Pride team. Jeske ranked second in the region for goals scored with 11, which came to her surprise as she reflected on the season.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting to be No. 2 in the region for most goals scored, but I don’t think that I could have done it without my teammates’ help, my mom’s help and my coaches' help,” said Jeske.

Jeske last week signed with Mitchell College in Connecticut to continue her soccer career. She looks forward to meeting her new teammates, learning from new coaches and facing a new type of competition. However, the end of her high school career felt “bittersweet."

“Even though she doesn’t have the captain’s title she will always be seen as a leader in this program,” said Daigle.

The Pride finished fifth in their region and look to continue their progress heading into next season.