The girls’ soccer team has made it to the WPIAL playoffs for the second year in a row. This is only the second year in Freedom history that Girls’ Soccer has made it to playoffs. Last year they lost to Greensburg Central Catholic putting them in 2nd place for WPIALS, but still allowing them to secure a spot in the PIAA championships.
“We’re doing OK,” Coach Collins Williams said, who has been with the team for the past two seasons. Both playoff runs have been made with Williams. “I think we’ll pick up pace just like we did last year. We’re hopeful…we’re a young, skilled team. Playoffs are playoffs.”
On Oct 14, the girls came together for senior night and their section decider. They faced New Brighton for the second time, bringing along a large student section and pep band. Both Seniors Marley Hoko and Skylar Corfield were allotted start time on the field in honor of their night. After losing the first game to New Brighton no one knew what was in store.
“I thought it was going to be a tough game but I knew that our team wasn’t going to let them win because we wanted it more than anything,” said Freshman Alexsia Barlamas.
The game wrapped up with a final score of 8-6, putting the team at the top of the Single A Section 1 group. The goals were scored by Schwab, who scored six, and Sharpless, who scored two.
The six wins scored bring their total section record to 12 wins, one tie, and one loss. With such a high record it put the Girls’ Soccer team ranked 5th in the entire state.
On Oct. 1 the girls played their first game in Oct., and it was against Neshannock. The girls were able to pull out a victory against them with an ending score of 6-0. Goals were scored by Junior Alexa Schwab, Sophomores Cora Mankevich and Taylor Petroff and Freshman Myla Sharpless and Barlamas.
On Oct. 5 the girls had their second game and was home against South Side. Again the girls won, putting them 2 and 0 for this month and 10 wins total this season. Goals were scored by Corfield, Schwab and Barlamas, which pulled them ahead of South Side’s one goal and ended the game 3-1.
The third game was also won with a final score of 2-0 against Neshannock again at their field. The goals were scored by Schwab and Mankevich.
The girls fourth game was against OLSH who they defeated 2-1 at home. The goals at this game were scored by Sharpless and Freshman Taylor Greene. This was their 12th game this season and leaves them with five more section games, one of which will decide the section winner.