Field Hockey: Upper Arlington holds off defending state champ Thomas Worthington
Monday, August 28, 2023
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Upper Arlington’s Lia Milligan scores against Thomas Worthington, the only goal of the match at UA’s Marv Moorehead Memorial Stadium Aug. 28. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Confidence grew in the Upper Arlington field hockey team’s defense with every stop. And there were a lot of them.
Add in a timely goal by Lia Milligan in the second period and the host Golden Bears, despite every metric working against them, held off defending state champion Thomas Worthington 1-0 in COFHL-West Division play on Aug. 28.
The Cardinals, who won their seventh state championship last season, outshot the Bears 30-4 and had 13 penalty corner opportunities, but couldn’t convert.
The Bears improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in league play, while the Cardinals fell to 1-1 both overall and in league play.
“We just stuck to the basics,” senior defender Kate Brennan said. “We played our hardest and never backed down. (On penalty corners, we’re just) trying to keep our stick down and try not to get any feet and get it out of the circle as fast as we can. We were really motivated and you could tell that we wanted it more than them today.”
Upper Arlington goaltender Elise Shieber makes the save in the Golden Bears’ 1-0 win over visiting Thomas Worthington. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Last season, Thomas ended UA’s bid for an undefeated regular season with a 5-0 victory in the final game. In 2021, the Bears ended the Cardinals’ streak of six consecutive league titles with a 1-0 overtime win in the finale.
Thomas had four first period corners, including shots by Sophia Borghese and Lauren Beier that were saved by UA goalie Elise Shieber.
Shieber finished with five saves in the game anchoring a defense that was without Jess Larry.
“This was the best defensive effort we’ve had,” UA coach Sara Greaves said. “I think it really just came together and I think it was a matter of our team really wanting it. Obviously, last year didn’t end the way that we wanted it to. So, they played like they had something to prove.”
Instead, Maddie Reisz, Shelby Speas, Vivian Swary, and Selis Tufekci each filled in seamlessly, keeping the Cardinals out of the middle.
Thomas Worthington midfielder Julie Conroy attacks from the wing during the Cardinals’ game at Upper Arlington Aug. 28. Photo: Kevin Rouch
“It’s the most confident I’ve seen Elise play and then our other defenders just really stepped up,” Greaves said. “It looked like they just weren’t frazzled. I think at first, they had some jitters. But they just looked ready to go. Thomas played a great game and they had a lot of close misses. It’s just a testament to the team they are. I think our girls just went out and really wanted it.”
Milligan’s goal came at the perfect time for the Bears. Grace Basil set up the goal with a long lead pass to Sammie Callaghan. Callaghan crossed to Milligan on the left, who touched it to give UA the lead with 2 minutes, 55 seconds remaining in the first half.
Otherwise, Thomas allowed just four shots, including two on goal and one penalty corner.
Mae Conroy had two saves for the Cardinals.
“(UA) played a great defensive game and they just crowded (the middle) a lot,” Thomas coach Terri Simonetti Frost said. “I don’t think we attacked the goalie’s pads enough. We’re figuring it out. We had an early season loss last year and fought back. We have a really tough schedule and we’ll see what they’re made of.”