Girls soccer: Olentangy Liberty shuts down potent Olentangy offense
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Olentangy Liberty’s Chloe Brecht (left) and Olentangy’s Addi Moore go for the ball Aug. 22 at Liberty. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Sydney Vogel stood on the sideline with an ice pack on her left knee as evidence of a particularly grueling 2-0 win for the Olentangy Liberty girls soccer team over rival Olentangy.
Vogel, a senior defender, got it bent the wrong way on a slide tackle early in the first half. But that didn’t stop her from returning to help the Patriots shut down a potent Braves offense that had outscored opponents 23-1 in three wins coming into the non-league matchup on Aug. 22 in Powell.
“I was going in for a tackle and I think I just hyperextended my knee a little bit,” Vogel said. “I couldn’t really move it at first. But then after going out and getting some water, I could straighten it.
“I just wanted to get back on the field because this game really means a lot to me. Knowing a lot of people on Olentangy, it just means a lot for us. It was important to me to get back on the field.”
The Patriots (2-1) defense, which included Ava Petrucci, Kyla Price and Carsyn Cowell in front of goalie Hailey Myers, held Olentangy to five shots on goal.
“I think it’s been a big part of who we are as a program – always trying to be organized defensively,” Liberty coach Chris Allen said. “Kuddos to Syd in the back. She got hurt and just made some big stops. We have a sophomore center back (Cowell) filling in. They’re just doing a good job limiting opportunities for the opposing team.”
Olentangy goalie Macy Boysel reaches for the ball during the visiting Braves game with Olentangy Liberty on Aug. 22. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Myers, who made her first save on a shot by Reagan Ross in the 10th minute, also broke up a breakaway attempt by Kareena Wardlow in the 72nd minute to prevent a potential game-tying goal.
Wardlow also created a scoring chance for Olentangy (3-1) in the 16th minute by drawing a foul in the box. Ross, who entered the game with six goals and four assists on the season, pushed the ensuing penalty kick wide left.
Lola Esham finished a perfectly placed centering pass from Avery Hilvert from the left side to give Liberty a 1-0 lead with 34:06 remaining in the first half.
It came just seconds after Novak stepped in front of a ball for a steal and had a one-on-one opportunity against Myers, but missed high.
Olentangy lost Taylor Novak in the first minute of the game to a head injury and Wardlow missed about 15 minutes of the first half, but returned after suffering a head injury of her own.
“I thought we were the better team that possessed the ball most of the game and had all of the dangerous chances,” Olentangy coach Matt Evans said. “We lost Taylor in the first 27 seconds and Kareena went out in 49 seconds. I think we showed our depth (though). I think we answered some question marks defensively with a lot of new players on the back line.”
Wardlow entered the game with five goals and two assists and Novak with three goals and four assists.
“Yesterday, we just had a great practice – really zoning in on what we needed to focus on,” Vogel said. “We came in here and played the game we had to play to beat them. We really locked in on their personnel and our keeper Hailey had a great game as well.”
Macy Boysel stopped two shots in goal for the Braves.
An earlier version of this story stated that Olentangy had three shots on goal and that their first shot on goal didn’t happen until 60 minutes in. The first shot on goal, by Reagan Ross, happened in the 10th minute. The story has been updated to reflect this change.
Olentangy Liberty’s Ava Petrucci (left) and Olentangy’s Kareena Wardlow go for the ball Aug. 22 at Liberty. Photo: John Hulkenberg