TL Hanna 3
Northwestern 2
Ok, I'll try to do this one justice, but I imagine Whiskey & Easy will have his own version to submit.
Anderson, SC - Under Radio's watchful eye
First half started with Northwestern controlling the pace of play. A speedier midfield allowed them to keep the play on Hanna's side of the pitch, but a number of chances inside the box afforded them nothing. NW has a bevy of small, very fast girls who simply could not get a clean shot on goal. Hanna gets the ball on a counter, plays it up to Caitlin Robinson who fires a shot off the crossbar, no one clears from NW and a Hanna player slots it into the back of the net. Nothing for the rest of the half, 1-0 Lady Jackets at the break.
Second half starts, same story, NW is pressuring. Other than Hanna's goal, Robinson is heavily marked by aggressive, talented defenders who allow her little to no time to distribute. Then the tide turns...Hanna begins to push, NWs mids seemed to drop back after the half and were not as aggressive to balls as they had been. A NW defender is called for a hip check foul on the outside left corner of the box, Robinson drills the free kick, 2-0. Maybe 10 minutes later, in a scrum in front of the NW goal, Robinson one touches a ball played into the box, back of the net, 3-0, Hanna. Game over, right? Wrong.
Minutes later, Robinson, having her way now with the NW defenders, gets a breakaway, sheds 3 or four backs and slots the ball past the keeper (an odd sub by the coach at the half). 4-0 Hanna. 3rd round here we come, but wait... Ref. calls foul on Robinson, goal is nullified. Play on.
Off the ensuing free kick, ball is dinged around in the middle, NWs mids, who have stayed back for far too long, awaken, ball played up, NW pressures, Hanna scores an own goal. 3-1, 12 minutes left. 7 minutes later, NW outside mid streaks down the line, foul called on sliding tackle from Hanna defender Casey Craft, free kick, GOAL, NW, 3-2. Under 5 to play, don't buy the plane tickets yet, Buffalo Bills.
The final 4 minutes see the ball thrown in perhaps 34 times by at least 8 different NW players, shots are taken, but none clean.
Whistle blows, 3-2, Hanna. Handshakes, cheers, smiles, bedlam, Lady Jackets reach the 3rd round for the first time ever. NW fights to the end, refs are shuffled off.
It ain't over 'til it's over!
Well played match by both squads, and the largest crowd I have ever seen at a Hanna girls soccer match.
Congrats to coach Michael Young and the Lady Jackets, and congrats to NW!
Ryan Roseberry
Westside High School
Girls Varsity Soccer
