Sparrows Point Girls Soccer began defense of their state title by defeating Eastern Tech 2-0 in the 2A North Region Semifinals.
Pointer coach Geoffrey Hollan knew his defense needed to focus on stopping Eastern Tech star forward Ineza Ross-Reidel.
Sparrows Point was up 4-1 during the regular season match-up against Eastern Tech and the sophomore scored two goals near the end of the game to cut the final score 4-3 for Sparrows Point.
Pointer defender Cam Mossmiller started on defense against Ross-Reidel and left the game with an injury. She was replaced by freshman Sara Griffin, who was recently called up from the Sparrows Point Junior Varsity team, now had the daunting task of defending Ross-Reidel. Holland said her teammates have confidence in Griffin.
“At halftime I huddled with the defense to see if they thought we should switch and put Lacey [Schleig] on [Ross-Reidel]. Captain Olivia Messercola spoke up and said ‘it’s ok Sara’s has her’,” Holland said. “That’s all I needed to know. When the team trusts each other and the next player up, steps into that role, I know we are going to be fine.”
Sparrows Point started with a goal by Chelsea Stubel, who was assisted by Ami Walters in the first 13 minutes of the game. The Pointers added their second goal when senior captain Allysa Hartman scored on a penalty kick in the 10th minute of the second half.
Eastern Tech coach Jonathan Wynne said Sparrows Point has so many ways to win.
“The Point is always so technically and tactically prepared. You can’t stop everything they do well, so you try to limit the damage,” Wynne told eastcountytimes.com
“We keyed all week in training on taking away Hartman and Walters and then Stubel beats us with a beautifully struck ball from 30 yards out. They are such a well-balanced side.”
The Mavericks had some scoring opportunities in the first half. Ava Chenowith, Ella Francowiak and Ross-Reidel all had shots on goal, but Sparrows Point junior goalie Ally Foos had seven saves on the night.
Pointer Julie Roberts and Maverick Gianna Chiarizio battle for a loose ball.
Ross-Reidel was able to get more opportunities in the second and nearly scored a goal in the final 15 minutes, but it hit the crossbar.
Sparrows Point also turned up the pressure as Lilah Kern nearly added a third goal for Sparrows Point, but Maverick goalie Kylee Jones made a driving save. Jones had 11 saves on the night.
“Kylee has grown so much as a goalkeeper this season. She has worked really hard on her craft and has made a lot of key saves for us during the second half of the season,” Wynne said about his goalie.
“I wish we could have found the net for her a few times. We generated a lot of chances, and I thought we should have scored two or three. Forsythe in the middle of their back line is just so tough to beat.”
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Holland added it was a hard fought win.
“Eastern Tech is a strong, well coached team who showed up for a battle tonight. Both teams worked hard and played strong. I think we executed our defensive game plan well. Foos made a few good saves and the defense locked it down,” Holland added.
Other 2A Scores
Patapsco 2 Chesapeake 0
The Pointers will play Patapsco at home Tuesday in the 2A North Regional Final as the Patriots also won 2-0 against Chesapeake in the other 2A North Semifinals.
3A
Dulaney 8 Overlea 0
The Falcons had a first-round bye but loss at home to Dulaney in the 3A North Semifinals
4A
Perry Hall 15 Kenwood 0
The Gators are looking to get back to the 4A Title Game after losing in the final game in 2023. They started off with an impressive win over Kenwoos
Parkville 2 Dundalk 1
Perry Hall will host Parkville in the next round. The Knights went on the road and defeated Dundalk in the 4A North Region Semifinal.
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