Defending champion Freedom shuts out Yough in WPIAL semifinals
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Monday, October 30, 2017 | 10:12 PM
Freedom girls soccer will have a chance to defend its title.
The reigning Class AA champion will return to Highmark Stadium later this week after defeating No. 4 Yough, 3-0, at Moon's Tiger Stadium on Monday night.
“I am really, really proud of the (team),” Freedom coach Colin Williams said. “It is a testament to their will to win the game. It is just something really special. We had some drama with injuries, and we don't have a lot of players. It was really important for all of our players to step up.”
The No. 1 Bulldogs (19-0) will face Waynesburg, which defeated Freeport, 7-0, in Class AA's other semifinal.
Freedom opened its scoring just over five minutes into the game. On the Bulldogs' second corner kick, Taylor Petroff sent the ball to the front of the net. Cougars goalie Sara Krofcheck came out to make the save but was unable to wrap it up.
The miscue allowed Chloe Keller to bury the ball into the back of the net.
“I try to change up the corners,” Williams said. “The first one we played long and deep into the middle. And on the second one, she played it a little harder. That one worked.”
Freedom added to its lead 10 minutes later. A deep shot by the Bulldogs was deflected by Krofcheck, but Lyndsee Monac was able to collect the ball and score for a two-goal lead.
“I think they were able to control the midfield a little bit,” Yough coach Dann Appolonia said. “That might be the biggest reason why we struggled. They won more balls in the midfield and carried forward. We were on our heels for a lot of the game.”
Yough's best chance of scoring in the first half came with six minutes to play before halftime. Natalie Vilchek battled her way downfield in one-on-one coverage, but Freedom goalie Jacklyn Hartle was able to grab the ball before Vilchek could get off a good shot.
“Even at halftime down 2-0, I think we felt we were in it,” Appolonia said. “I think if we had gotten the next goal, we were in it. I am proud of the effort of the girls tonight.”
The Bulldogs grew the lead to three goals 12 minutes into the second half. Monac collected the ball along the sideline, made a quick move past a defender and sent a pass to Michaela Watkins, who scored.
“That is the way we played most of the year,” Williams said. “We have passed the ball around and gotten in deep, crossed it in and got some good goals. It works, and it looks great.”
Vilcheck was able to use her speed to get past the Freedom defenders with 16 minutes to play, but her shot on the goal was deflected off the left leg of Hartle. The senior keeper finished with five saves in the shutout.
The Bulldogs have given up only 13 goals this season.
“We were never able to move forward as much as we wanted to,” Appolonia said. “We were relying on playing some long balls. We had a few times we possessed up field, but it just wasn't enough.”
Krofcheck finished with six saves for the Cougars. It was only the second time in program history that Yough (14-3) advanced to the WPIAL semifinals.
Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.
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