Unbeaten Freedom handles Freeport
PITTSBURGH — Just as quickly as Freeport grabbed a much-needed boost, it was taken away.
Only 48 seconds after Abby Bastaja scored to cut Freedom's lead to 2-1, the Bulldogs' Myla Sharpless tallied a goal to push her team's advantage back to two goals with 24 minutes left in the game.
Despite a spirited rush in the final 10 minutes, the Yellowjackets bowed 4-1 in Thursday's WPIAL Class AA girls soccer title game at Highmark Stadium.
“That quick goal took a lot out of us,” said Freeport coach Brittni Grenninger, who watched her team manage a frenzy of scoring opportunities with four late corner kicks, none of which led to a score. The Yellowjackets (15-4-1) earned seven corner kicks in the game to three for the Bulldogs.
“This didn't feel like a 4-1 game,” Grenninger added. “With all of the corner kicks and opportunities we had, it seemed closer than that.”
The undefeated Bulldogs (20-0), the tournament's No. 1 seed, received big games from their top offensive players in winning the first WPIAL crown in the annals of the program.
Both Sharpless and forward Michaela Watkins scored twice and currently have 24 and 23 goals, respectively, on the season.
But it was Sharpless' second score that carried the most weight, according to Freedom coach Colin Williams. The sophomore midfielder got behind the 'Jacket defense, forcing Freeport goalkeeper Cassie Suran to come out and challenge.
“We preach that when you need to get a goal back, do it quickly,” Williams said. “That goal was it. That was the game.
“Freeport moves the ball well, but we could tell that they were pressing and we used it against them.”
Watkins scored first in the 10th minute of play. Sharpless doubled the lead with her goal 13 minutes later. Watkins capped the scoring with a tally late in the second half.
“Those two are great players,” said Grenninger. “Freedom is a phenomenal team.”
Both Suran and Freedom keeper Jacklyn Hartle had four saves in the game.
The 'Jackets won the battle for possession in the first half, yet were staring at the 2-0 deficit at halftime.
“We hadn't given up four goals in a game all season,” Grenninger said. “We made mistakes and they (Bulldogs) made us pay.”
Freeport was making its first-ever appearance in the district final. Following the loss, Grenninger offered encouraging words to her players.
“We are a team that had very little playoff experience before this year,” she said. “The girls have to be proud of what they accomplished and I'm very happy we made it this far.”
Freeport has a chance to add to the best season in program history. That quest begins Tuesday when the 'Jackets face District 9 champion Karns City in the first round of the state playoffs.
Grenninger is a Karns City graduate and former star player for the Gremlins. One of Freeport's three regular-season losses came against KC, 3-2 Oct. 8.
“Our players need to have a short memory,” said Grenninger. “They need to forget about this game.”
