MARYSVILLE — Off to a 4-1 start coming into their Sept. 26 game against winless Cascade, coach Gary Riozzi and the Tomahawk girls walked off of the field of their 0-0 tie like the game was a loss.

Because next time, it just might be.

Athletic directors in the Western Conference voted to try out a no-tie scenario for the second half of the girls soccer season, forcing shootouts to decide games that two overtime periods cannot.

“That’s why we needed the win today,” Riozzi said, noting that his own game could have been decided by penalty kicks. “PKs after takes away from the game. The top teams could end up struggling from it. It’s going to change how the end of the season turns out.”

The Tomahawk offense struck near the Cascade goal multiple times throughout the game, but couldn’t seal the deal on a goal. Late in the first half, senior captain Kiely Cordon was yellow carded when she went up for an air ball against the Cascade goalkeeper within a few feet of the nets. Late in the second half, sophomore midfielder Lauren Noltes was also dribbling the ball in front of the Bruin goal, but unable to get it under control until on the goal’s far side.

Junior forward Mady Schoonover had a nice throw-in to the front of the Cascade goal in the final minute of regulation that was foiled by the Cascade defense. She also clashed with the Bruin keeper as the Tomahawks tried to avert the tie in overtime, earning a yellow card for her efforts.

The M-P girls steadily took shots at Cascade during overtime, at a pace of about one a minute, but couldn’t find the one that would give them the win.

“We’re a little banged up and I think the girls are feeling it,” Riozzi said, adding that the team didn’t play their best. “We’ve got to keep to the basics and don’t try to do too much.”

Click here for more photos.