Third time a charm as Fillies defeat Connellsville, 2-0
Laurel Highland's, Lyndsey Lucas takes the ball from Connellsville's, Ashton Grimm in game at Connellsville field.
Connellsville's, Leah Lilley sends the ball downfield against Laurel Highlands, Melissa McCann in Wednesday night game.
Connellsville's Janelle Craig goes for ball against Laurel Highland's Casey Lewis in soccer match at Falcon field in Connellsville.
CONNELLSVILLE — The third time was a charm for the Laurel Highlands girl’s soccer team on Wednesday as they defeated Connellsville, 2-0, in the third meeting of the season between the teams.
The Fillies scored goals early and late from Erika Gesso, and played a stellar defensive game to defeat the Lady Falcons after a loss in the FCCA Tournament, and a Section 1-AAA loss at LH earlier in the season.
Afterwards, Laurel Highlands coach Jess Dubois said, “We always expect a great game from Connellsville. They are well-coached and have excellent players. It’s always good competition when we play them.”
Dubois praised the work of her defense, especially goalkeeper Taylor Jordan, who made eight saves, including a point blank shot with just over two minutes remaining.
“We had it rough the first half of the schedule,” Dubois said. “We’re hoping to start turning things around.”
Connellsville coach Jeff Puskar praised the Fillies’ effort.
“Laurel Highlands was prepared to play and came with heart. They were ready to run through the wall and I credit them for that. They wanted it more and that was the difference.”
Both of Gesso’s goals were line drive crossing shots that got past Connellsville goalkeeper Marian Chearney. But Chearney stood tall on 11 saves to keep her team in the game.
Laurel Highland’s Olivia Skoric had two good scoring chances in the opening minutes, the first on a breakaway shot that was deflected wide by Paige Visocky, and another that went wide less than a minute later.
Gesso scored on the game’s first shot on goal at 4:50, but Chearney made saves on consecutive direct shots by Cassie Martin and Gesso 10 minutes into the half.
Laurel Highlands (2-7, 3-10) kept the Lady Falcons away from Jordan through the efforts of Brooke Mansberry, Abby Valek, Jordan Brewer and Elli Monaghan.
The Lady Falcons’ best scoring chance of the first half came on a corner kick by Angela Bloom that Jordan saved at the 15 minute mark.
Chearney made a big save on a scramble in front of her net on a Gesso corner kick, and Connellsville’s Gabrielle Nichelson was just wide on a shot with 15:35 left in the half.
Connellsville (3-7, 5-8) had is best chances late in the second half, when Aria Kreinbrook missed over the crossbar from in front of the net, and consecutive corner kicks by Bloom were deflected away by Mansberry and Valek after Jordan made a save on a direct shot in the final few minutes.
The Fillies made a final break that resulted in Gesso’s second goal with 52 seconds left, which sealed the win.