Bolivar Liberators – 2
Willard Tigers – 0
The Liberators rode a stingy defense and an opportunistic offense to the title at Saturday’s Willard Soccer Tournament. In the title match, junior captain Jordan Halbrook got the game-winner in the 26th minute when she buried a ball that fell to her in a crowd after the Tigers were unable to clear it. It came as Bolivar were slowly imposing themselves on the match, recovering from Willard’s aggressive attack in the first 20 minutes. When senior captain Lindsy Archer scored in the 31st, her shot from the far left side of the box finding the back side netting over the GK, the Liberator’s were able to rely on the defense to maintain the margin. Photo Slideshow
- Black Pool
Willard Tigers – 2
Hillcrest Hornets – 1
Willard Tigers – 5
Central Bulldogs – 0
Central Bulldogs – 3
Hillcrest Hornets – 2
The Bulldogs held on to earn the win Saturday on Myriah Hick’s goal (pictured) in the 53rd minute, after taking a 2-0 lead in the first half only to see the Hornet’s come back and tie the game. Hick’s goal, her second of the match, came on a fine through ball that the GK got in front of but it popped out and Myriah walked the ball in for the ultimate game-winner. The Bulldog’s got their first lead from freshman Nikki Murphy Casey Diamond in the 4th minute, after Hicks hit the crossbar and the Bulldogs earned a corner kick. Rebecca Carter’s ball into the box fell to Murphy and she buried it confidently. This was a two-way game throughout and the Hornet’s first opportunity came in the 6th but Erin Boschen’s hard shot was caught by GK Dessa Loveland. In the 15th, Carter scored for the Bulldogs when her direct kick from the left side found the far siding netting.
The Hornet’s comeback began in the 23rd minute, as the Hornet’s earned a throw-in deep in Central’s end and Boschen beat a defender before burying her shot over the onrushing GK. She then tied the game in the 32nd when her corner kick went in off of a Bulldog defender. The second half saw an early Bulldog charge, requiring two excellent saves from the Hornet’s keeper until Hick’s broke through. The Hornets almost tied again in the 65th but it was not to be in this game against their Northside foe. Photo Slideshow
- White Pool
Bolivar Liberators – 5
Marshfield Blue Jays – 1
Bolivar Liberators – 2
McAuley Warriors – 0
McAuley Warriors – 6
Marshfield Blue Jays – 2
This was a game of two halves, the first a tightly fought match that saw two lead changes and two ties before the Warriors broke it open in the second half. With only 11 players, McAuley had to live up to their mascot in getting through three games in two days. They opened the scoring in the 5th minute, by junior Jae Stephens. Marshfield tied via Miranda Barrera in the 9th minute and took the lead on Kassie Hyde’s goal in the 14th. Barrera hit the upright a few minutes later but nothing until stoppage time of the first half when McAuley tied the game on a set piece, again from Jae Stephens.
The second half was all McAuley, with junior Arrelle Santillan netting three in the 47th, 49th and 59th minute before the final goal in the 63rd, an own goal by Marshfield on a McAuley corner kick. The Blue Jays continued to battle but were unable to capitalize on several opportunities at the far post as their dynamic freshman midfielder, Alex Cantrell was able to put a number of crosses into the box. Photo Slideshow
