Springfield Catholic Irish - 3 (PK’s)
Pershing Generals - 2
Exciting match this evening between a pair of Middle School powers, ending in penalty kicks before a winner could be determined. Each of Catholic’s five shooters scored, winning 5-4 as goalkeeper Megan Goetzinger won in her first ever shootout.
Photo Slideshow added
The Irish came from behind twice and were denied in the final seconds of regular time before finally earning the winning margin from the penalty spot. The General’s Molly Brewer gave Pershing an early lead when her corner kick in the 2nd minute of the match was deflected into the goal during an attempted clearance. The Irish got the equalizer when sixth grader Nicole Ortega buried a 25 yard direct kick into the upper right hand corner of the net from the right side in the 29th minute.
The second half saw the Generals come out with renewed energy. Brewer’s run down the middle five minutes into the second half, as defenders attempted to keep up and not over-commit, allowed her to unleash a shot in full stride that caught the keeper off the line. It was only two minutes later and Ortega returned the favor, coming back to win a ball near the center circle before turning and running to the box. Her final turn created the space she needed as she buried a left-footed shot to the far post. 2-2 and another tie.
There’s plenty of competitive juice in both of these teams and the outcome was never certain. Goetzinger faced down Brewer on a later break away. For the General’s it was Chandler Craven, who in the words of her teammates “clears everything”, who cleared a ball off the end line on a Catholic corner kick seconds before the whistle blew ending regulation. Update - Sarah Kate Sprouse was the stay-at-home defender who was on the back post where she was supposed to be and reliably cleared the late opportunity, protecting Pershing’s tie.
According to one soccer parent in attendance, this was the 12th year that the Irish have reached the final but only the second time they have come away with the win. That follows a run of Pershing wins that reached three in a row. The common link in the Catholic wins? A Holtman on board, Elle in 2001 as a 7th grader and her sister this year.
Photos coming soon.
Post a Comment