The Webster City girls soccer team was left with a sour taste in their mouth following a 2-1 loss to North Central Conference rival Clear Lake.

The Lions escaped Lynx Field after a goal by Webster City was waved off and Clear Lake scored on a penalty kick in the second half.

Janey Putney had the lone goal for the Lynx off an assist by Ashlee Nydegger. Kate Feltz had nine saves in net.

“I am still feeling extremely frustrated by the officiating,” WCHS head coach Kristine Mason said. “We had an honest goal within the first three minutes of play that was incorrectly called offsides and we had no ability to contest it. I have video footage evidence that Janey was fully onsides when the ball was passed by Jayme (Perez). It was the exact run timing we have worked on repeatedly and executed perfectly. The referee wasn’t even in line with the play and his call was way late. We were only given two referees and we are supposed to have three. This happens far too often creating an imbalance of how the game is managed.

“I’m not one to blame games on officials, but this was uniquely different. I know that refs do the best that they can, but when they so significantly impact the end result of a game, it needs to be called out. This was one of several instances that changed the trajectory of the game for us and that is a very hard thing for players to bounce back from.”

Putney was all over the net, recording nine shots with six on goal. Perez, Nydegger and Heidi Mendoza each had two shots.

“I’m still very proud of how the girls never gave up and still had so many scoring opportunities. This one stings even more because this is a team we can beat and need to beat for our conference standings to improve year over year,” Mason said. “We have to move on and hope for better officiating in future games and focus on what we can control.”

The Lynx head to Garner-Hayfield/Ventura Monday and return home to host Charles City on Thursday and Greene County on Friday.