By George Starks 

BETHEL TOWNSHIP - The 2012 soccer season came to an end for the Franklin Monroe Lady Jets Tuesday. 

In a fight to the finish, the Jets gave it all they had but a one loss Troy Christian team was just too much as FM dropped a 3-0 decision. 

“These kids played their tails off,” said a very proud Scott Howell. “We played a great first half and the kids played the game plan to a tee. They played with heart, enthusiasm and passion.” 

Long before the start of the match. Howell knew the team’s back was against the wall. 

“We played extremely, extremely well in the first half,” Howell said again. “Their keeper had some outstanding saves and the Troy Christian coach told me those were saves that she normally doesn’t make. Manning (Allyson) took some great shots but their goalie had the game of her life.” 

Losing five seniors to graduation, Howell admitted it was an emotional night. 

“”It was a tough loss for those girls,” said Howell. “It’s not so tough on them because they lost but because it’s over. We’ve been going at it since June 11th and these girls really like each other and they hated to see it end.” 

In a season of ups and downs, Howell’s team had their share of successes. 

“In some games, it seemed that we played to the level of our competition,” Howell admitted. “We brought Brookville in, a team rated high in the Miami Valley and we give up a goal late and let them tie us. Then we go to Bethel, a below average team and get a 1-1 tie.” 

With nine wins on the season, the win over Newton may have been the greatest success Howell and his team had this season. 

“When we played Newton for the third time, we were tied at the end of regulation with them,” said Howell. “We went into a double overtime situation and it was still tied, 0-0. 

“I have never had a tournament win and that night, I got my first one. I asked the girls to get that win for me and they did it,” said a very emotional Howell. 

At the helm of the girls program for only a couple of years, Howell admits it’s a program that is making big strides. 

“I love this school and it’s a young program that’s just getting better,” Howell said. “We broke a bunch of records this year and I think Manning broke four of them herself. We’re just getting started with this thing and as long as they will have me, I’m not going anywhere.”