Fillies play well in 3-0 loss to Southmoreland
Laurel Highlands girls soccer coach Al DuBois can use Wednesday’s night’s game against Section 6-AAA co-leader Southmoreland to measure how far his team has progressed this season. The Lady Scotties defeated the Fillies 3-0, but the game was in doubt until the final nine minutes. Laurel Highlands goalkeeper Laura Wilson and defenders Claire Basescu, Amanda Parker, and Abby Valek kept the Fillies in the game until Southmoreland (9-0-2, 9-1-2) got late goals from seniors Alecia Byers and Aryn Askin.
“I’m very proud of the girls,” DuBois said. “They play 200 percent all the time. We had two starters hurt. Anna Pirl was out and Abby Valek was injured in the first half.”
In the first meeting of the teams, Southmoreland’s Andrea Wisniewski scored five of her team’s goals in a 6-1 win. On Wednesday, Wilson turned Wisniewski back numerous times, including a one-handed save with 15:30 left in the game.
Southmoreland defenders Holly Shipley, Lauren Virgin and Emily Helms matched the Fillies intensity in the first half in front of goalkeeper Shelby Hawkins.
The Lady Scotties got their first goal from an unlikely source, as Sarah Richter tapped the ball past Wilson on a Wisniewski assist 17:33 into the first half. Richter and Hawkins usually split time as goalkeepers for SHS.
Wilson came up big to stop Wisniewski three minutes later, but teammate Cassie Martin made perhaps the best save of the night. With Wilson out of the net, Wisniewski broke in front and appeared set for a certain goal before Martin got a foot on the ball to break up the play.
Laurel Highlands (4-7-0, 5-9-0) held Southmoreland at bay early in the second half as the Fillies stopped three opportunities off corner kicks. Then Wisniewski just missed over the crossbar with 21:59 left, Erika Gesso stopped Wisniewski with 18:21 to play, and Wilson made her one-handed stop of Wisniewski three minutes later.
The Fillies’ best scoring chances included Gesso’s shot that was broken up by Virgin 10 minutes into the second half, Elise Monaghan’s shot over the crossbar at the 19 minute mark and Debra Reilly’s free kick from above the box that went wide to the left.
Byers and Askin put the game away with goals at 31:06 and 37:06 to keep the Lady Scots tied with Belle Vernon atop the section standings.
Southmoreland coach Brian Shrum said he wasn’t worried with his team clinging to a one-goal lead. “We haven’t taken anyone lightly all year. We just play one game at a time and respect our opponents. We just play hard and let the chips fall where they may.”
Of Richter’s goal, he said, “I’m sure she was surprised, and it put a smile on her face.”
DuBois tipped his hat to the Lady Scotties. “Brian has a great team. Southmoreland and Belle Vernon will represent our section well in the playoffs.”