Something had to give. Two girls soccer teams — Liberty and Winters Mill — both undefeated. No losses, no goals even allowed.
But with two dynamic offenses, something had to give, and someone was bound to state claim to the early county lead after Thursday’s conference opener. It turned out to be the veteran Liberty Lions, who went into to Winters Mill and gave the Falcons their first loss of the season, 4-2. The Lions improve to 6-0 while the Falcons slip to 4-1.
Liberty coach Danielle Prietz has 14 seniors on her roster. She made it a point of emphasis that this plays a crucial part in her team’s success. “Every single one of them brings leadership to the team, so they push and strive to always be better and make everyone better,” Prietz said.
“It really doesn’t matter who wants to talk or be a leader, they all do it.” Energy was high from the jump and it didn’t take long for the ball to find the back of the net. After collecting a cross into the box, Liberty forward Aver Asom snuck the ball past the Falcon goalkeeper into the bottom left corner.
Another goal for the Lions came nearly 10 minutes later from Liberty midfielder Adrienne Petroski, who smashed it across goal over to the left side. Things started to settle down as Winters Mill began to apply pressure and find its footing in the game. Falcons sophomore captain Hannah Neske was threatening the right side of the field all game.
Possession-saving and chance-creating plays in the midfield by the Bogdan sisters, Sophia and Elizabeth, helped to bring both these teams down to an even playing field. Solid defensive play from defenders Riley Haskins and Adyson Meyers were key to keeping it a two-goal game going into halftime. The second half was more tightly contested as both offenses come to life.
Liberty defender Erin Martin scored the third goal for her Lions from far out, well in between midfield and the top of the goalie box. At this point, it seemed everything was going Liberty’s way. But just two minutes later, the Falcons got a spark.
Winters Mill's Hannah Neske dribbles the ball during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Winters Mill's goalie Emma Jewell makes a save during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Liberty's Sophia Maciejewski controls the ball as Addison Lohr attempts a slide tackle during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.
(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Liberty goalkeeper Mady Smith looks as a ball struck by Winters Mill's Maddie Milam avoids the goal by bouncing off the goalpost during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Winters Mill goalkeeper Emma Jewell reaches back as a ball struck by Liberty's Adrienne Petroski sails into the goal during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Adrienne Petroski runs with the ball during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.
(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Winter Mill's Hannah Neske shoots the ball during a soccer match against Liberty at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Liberty coach Danielle Prietz speaks with Winters Mill coach Tim Pennell prior to a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Liberty's Marley Roach and Winters Mill's Natalie Furr battle for the ball during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.
(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Liberty's Erin Martin boots the ball during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Liberty's Aver Asom tries to take the ball from Winters Mill's Elizabeth Bogdan during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Liberty's Sophia Maciejewski heads the ball during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.
(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Liberty's Aver Asom battles Kimora Harrid for the ball during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Winters Mill's Maddie Milam, left, knocks the ball past Liberty goalkeeper Mady Smith during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Hannah Devincent dribbles the ball past Adyson Meyers during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.
(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Winters Mill's Hannah Neske dribbles the ball during a soccer match at Winters Mill High School.(Thomas Walker/Freelance) Falcon forward Maddie Milam was be delivered a through ball and she took off on a breakaway, going one one one against Lions goalkeeper Mady Smith. Milam slotted the ball home into the bottom right corner to pull her team within two goals again.
It was Milam’s sixth goal of the season. However, it was only a matter of minutes before Liberty regained control, with Petroski scoring her second of the night, depositing a beautiful volley into the right hand side of the goal. It was a marvelous set up where the ball touched three Lions with precision and purpose, before being delivered to Petroski to finish it off.
Related Articles Liberty seemed to be in full control, but the Falcons weren’t done yet. Winters Mill midfielder Natalie Furr tacked on a goal after smashing it off the top crossbar and having the ball bounce just behind the goal line. Though the final scoreline favored Liberty, Falcons coach Tim Pennell was more than optimistic of the outcome.
“When you play against the best you’re going to get better,” he said. “It’s good for our confidence to play tight like this because we know we can play with anybody if we play our game, and try to take a little bit of their game away from them like we did tonight.” For Liberty, they look to continue their dominance this season.
Now with 26 goals scored on the season and only two conceded, there seems to be no weak point on this team thus far. Hannah DeVincent, who led Carroll County in points coming into Thursday night’s game said about her team’s offensive performance: “I would say just the fact we’re building up as a team. Everyone’s working hard.
..everyone’s just making sure that we want to score and everyone’s playing their part with goals and assists.
” With much of the season left for both teams, each will look to continue to build on the success they’ve been able to accumulate up to this point. For the Lions, they depend on their experience, chemistry and skill from their senior players. For the Falcons, they look to their young talent that has consistently found the back of the net so far this season.
The question to ask: Will the Lions roar, or will the Falcons soar?.
