The River Falls girls’ soccer team truly was one of the best in the state.

The Wildcats gave it their all at the WIAA State Tournament at Uihlein Park in Milwaukee Friday, giving eventual state champ Oregon all it can handle in a 3-0 semifinal loss.

It was a bittersweet loss for the eight seniors who represented the Wildcats for the final time, but they’ve done a lot to build River Falls into a regional powerhouse. Seniors were Lillia Gray, Aili Lassi, Emily Van Ausdal, Bell Skow, Kraly Walker, Maggie Johnson, Mya Ross and Emma Cernohous.

It was River Falls’ first trip to the state tournament since 2018 and third overall. Next year’s team will build on this year’s foundation that’s already solid, considering the Wildcats have won 10 straight WIAA regional championships and have been in four consecutive sectional final games.

Oregon went on to beat Whitefish Bay, 1-0, in the championship game.

River Falls finished the season 13-4-7 and took second in the Big Rivers Conference to New Richmond. The Wildcats, however, topped the Tigers by a 3-2 score in the opening game of sectional play.

Oregon has a potent offense, and River Falls kept it at bay for most of the game. Goalie Neva Espanet and the Wildcat backfield were able to thwart several attacks. Oregon got on the scoreboard at the 17:46 mark on a shot to the left post.

For about the next 60 minutes, River Falls tried to break through on offense, but Oregon’s defense held and created more attacks.

Oregon scored on a header off the left post at the 75:50 mark and got their final goal about two minutes later a deflection off the post.

Espanet finished with nine saves in the net. River Falls tallied three shots on goal, two from Olivia Doerre and one by Elliott Bell.

Oregon had a total of 12 shots on goal.