Freeport shows no letdown in PIAA girls soccer first round, beats Fort LeBoeuf on Camryn Woods’ 2 goals
BUFFALO TWP — Freeport’s initial lead in Tuesday’s PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round playoff game lasted a bit longer than it took the Yellowjackets to celebrate it.
Camryn Woods’ ice-breaker in the 16th minute was followed almost immediately by Fort LeBoeuf’s answer — Jenna Popowski’s tying goal just 19 seconds later.
It turned out to be a mere footnote, however, as Woods scored again three-and-a-half minutes later, putting the ’Jackets up for good in a 3-1 victory over the Bison at Freeport Stadium.
Freeport was coming off a historic win Saturday against Burrell, which earned for the program its first WPIAL championship.
“You wouldn’t think it would be tough to get up for a state playoff game,” Freeport coach Steve Kukic said. “But you always have to guard against a letdown after an emotional win like we had over the weekend.
“We exhaled after allowing that goal, and I thought we responded well the rest of the night.”
It is Freeport’s first PIAA playoff victory since 2016. The ’Jackets advance to face Lancaster Catholic, a 4-0 winner against Forest Hills, in a quarterfinal Saturday at a site and time to be determined.
Tuesday’s first goal was set up by a pinpoint through pass from Nia DiSanti that left Woods with a breakaway against Bison goalie Gabriella Green.
Popowski, who scored her 100th career varsity goal earlier this season, had limited opportunities aside from her score.
“She’s definitely a dangerous player, but we didn’t feel like we needed to do anything special against her,” Kukic said. “Just communicate and be in good position, keep our feet moving.”
Woods gave Freeport its second lead in the 20th minute when she booted a free kick from 35 yards into the back of the net.
“We knew all their players are solid, and they have a lot of weapons,” Bison coach Bryan Kowalczyk said.
The Bison (12-6-1) nearly tied the game again less than a minute before halftime.
After earning its first corner kick of the game, Fort LeBoeuf kept the heat on Freeport goalie Alyssa Alcorn.
Two attempts by the ’Jackets to clear the ball failed, and a Bison player blistered a shot toward the net.
Sophomore defender Maggie Conger was standing on the goal line, just feet from Alcorn. The former had no time to think, but reacted with a bicycle kick that allowed Freeport (19-1) to regroup and successfully defend another corner kick before the first half expired.
“That play by Maggie was huge, just unbelievable,” Kukic said.
“I practice bicycle kicks every day in practice,” Conger said. “It was no big deal for me.”
It was, however, a big gust taken from the Bison’s sail. It was, in fact, their last prime chance to score.
Alcorn, who stopped five shots in the game, made three routine saves in the second half on free kicks taken from no closer than 35 yards.
CeCe Schlegel scored in the 54th minute to pad Freeport’s lead.
Green made eight saves for Fort LeBoeuf, which had qualified for the state playoffs for the fifth straight year.
The ’Jackets began the season with high hopes that have been bolstered by the improved performance of players like Conger, who has settled in to the starting right-back position since the postseason began.
“I came off the bench last year, saw a few minutes per game,” she said. “It feels great to be part of this year’s run.”
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) takes a shot on goal against Fort LeBoeuf in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) takes a penalty kick against Fort LeBoeuf in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) looks to pass against Fort LeBoeuf in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Elena Jenkins (8) takes the ball up field in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Brinley Sullivan (1) looks to make a pass in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Alyssa Cooper (9) looks to make an open pass in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Alyssa Alcorn (55) makes a save against Fort LeBoeuf in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) gets past Fort LeBoeuf's Lily Friday (8) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Peyton Los (18) looks to get around Fort LeBoeuf's Baylee Volgstadt (21) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) follows the ball as it is kicked her way in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game against Fort LeBoeuf on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) pumps up her teammates after scoring a goal against Fort LeBoeuf in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) celebrates with her team after scoring a goal against Fort LeBoeuf in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Nia DiSanti (13) fights to keep the ball away from Fort LeBoeuf's Katie Froess (11) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Camryn Woods (22) looks to pass the ball past Fort LeBoeuf's Lily Friday (8) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Freeport's Ella McConville (5) takes a pass as she fights past Fort LeBoeuf's Mia Stauffer (15) in a PIAA Class 2A girls soccer first-round game Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Freeport Stadium. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
