NORTH SIOUX CITY – Groton was denied in its quest to play for a third straight State A girls’ soccer championship, eliminated 3-0 by Dakota Valley in the semifinals of the playoffs on Saturday.

The hosts scored a pair of goals in the opening half and then tacked on an insurance goal in the final half.

“For our record finishing at 8-6, I’m proud of it,” said Groton coach Matt Baumgartner, “but knew we would have all liked 2-3 of our games to be flip-flopped to wins or at least a tie or two. … We were far superior than what the paper says of 8-6.”

Baumgartner said its been quite a run the past couple of seasons for the Tigers.

“Having 12 of our girls play in two consecutive state finals and coming up one game short from a third is something to be very thankful and proud of,” Baumgartner said. “Especially want to give kudos to seniors: Jerica Locke, Jaedyn Penning, Carly Gilbert, and Mia Crank. Their experience and dedication to our program, our community and youth are going to leave an everlasting mark and will always be part of the Tiger soccer family.”