Freeport girls fall just short of first PIAA soccer championship appearance as Burrell finally gets revenge
O’HARA TWP — Freeport hastily matched Burrell’s first goal.
The Yellowjackets couldn’t produce another answer, however, in a 2-1 PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal loss to their WPIAL Section 2 rivals Tuesday at Fox Chapel High School.
It was the only time in four tries the Bucs (15-7-2) were able to elbow by Freeport this season. About a week and a half before, the ’Jackets (20-2) downed them for Freeport’s first WPIAL soccer title.
“I told the girls yesterday, I said, ‘We’ve basically gone six halves of soccer this year against them, and we’ve been competitive,’” Burrell coach Frank Nesko said. “We just had to find a way to be the ones making the play. … I said, ‘You’re basically looking at a mirror image of yourself.’”
The Bucs’ Katie Koehler staked her side to a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute before ’Jackets standout junior Camryn Woods prodded one past Burrell goalkeeper Leah Waldsmith less than 20 seconds later. Waldsmith appeared to lose her footing on Woods’ marker.
Makiah Buchak, who Freeport coach Steve Kukic had listed as a major offensive threat entering the match, booted in the Bucs’ close-range go-ahead score in the 29th minute. Freeport had unsuccessfully tried to clear it out of harm’s way.
“We just couldn’t come back from it,” Kukic said. “Second half, we had opportunities, we had balls in the box. We were always just an inch away or a foot or yard away — a step away. It just didn’t happen for us.
“It’s happened how many times this year? Not tonight. Just one of those things.”
Freeport couldn’t cash in on seven corner kick tries. Woods had a pair of free kicks from straightaway that sailed over the net.
“We made one big mistake in the first half, and they capitalized on it,” Kukic said. “And they got up for a corner and we didn’t. Those types of things in these type of situations, free kicks are gonna kill you. ... We just didn’t get it done today, and they made one more play than we did.”
The ’Jackets will be able to look back fondly on their WPIAL crown, the first in Freeport soccer history, boys or girls.
“I’m so proud of the team. The girls are awesome,” Kukic said. “It’s gonna sting for a bit, but I think, in a couple of days, they’ll realize what they accomplished this year and be really proud of themselves.”
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Freeport's Alyssa Alcorn (55), Camryn Woods (22) and Ella McConville (5) look on after losing to Burrell in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Cecilia Schlegel (24) heads the ball in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal game against Burrell Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Alyssa Alcorn (55) gets read to defend a shot by Burrell in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) fights for the ball against Burrell's Parker Moore (1) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Brinley Sullivan (1) fights for possession of the ball against Burrell's MeKenna Miller (3) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Burrell scores a goal on a corner kick against Freeport in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Peyton Los (18) fights for the ball against Burrell's Chase Coury (32) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) looks for an opening while being defended by Burrell's Brinley Sullivan (1) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) looks to make a play off a corner kick against Burrell in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Elena Jenkins (8) looks to make a pass against Burrell in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Alyssa Cooper (9) looks to make a pass while being defended by Burrell's Chase Coury (32) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) looks to make a pass while being defended by Burrell's Chase Coury (32) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Ella McConville (5) looks to make a pass while being defended by Burrell's Chase Coury (32) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Peyton Los (18) fights for the ball against Burrell's Peyton Coury (33) during a corner kick in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer semifinal Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Fox Chapel High School. Burrell wins 2-1. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
