Glenelg field hockey sophomore midfielder Lakshmi Almli had the fate of the Class 2A state championship on her stick. Almli was awarded a penalty stroke with 3:24 remaining in overtime of a 1-1 game against Manchester Valley.

Before that moment, the Gladiators identified three players to take penalty strokes. Glenelg coach Martie Dyer told her girls to pick who felt ready for that moment.

Almli was confident and said, “I feel this, I’m getting this.” The official set the ball down, and in that momentary pause only one thought entered the dynamic sophomore’s head: “I’m going to end it.”

Almli delivered on that strong belief and lifted the ball over the outstretched diving blocker of Mavericks goalie Mikayla Shoaf. Euphoria ensued as Almli repeatedly jumped up and down in excitement befor

See Full Page