Briscoe goal, strong defense lead BEA girls soccer past Huntingdon
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WINGATE – After an impressive 12-0 victory over Penns Valley earlier in the week, the Bald Eagle Area girls soccer team showed that its defense can be just as impactful.
Just ask visiting Huntingdon.
After another late-afternoon rain debut by Mother Nature, the matchup between Bald Eagle Area's and Huntingdon girls teams started out as a sloppy one, field wise. Definitely not defensively.
Despite the wet conditions, the Eagles gutted out a 1-0 win over the Bearcats at Alumni Stadium at Bald Eagle in a Laurel Highlands Thursday match up.
"These guys, they come out, they move. Huntingdon was a good team. They matched up with us well. They pressed us," said Bald Eagle Area coach Jared Moore. “But the defense held the line. They did well."
"Lily Johnson, excellent on defense tonight. She really stepped up to the plate when we needed her there at the end of the game, got those balls cleared out. Mackenzie Harbold also was very good. Our two center backs were very good tonight, so I'm really appreciative of their effort,” he continued.
With the victory, Bald Eagle also jumped over the .500 mark on the year, now standing at 3-2-1.
Early on, both defenses proved to be tough as neither team was able to hold significant time in their opponent’s side of the field.
With 32:43 showing on the clock, Bald Eagle struck the lone goal of the half. Lining up for a free kick at the 30, Nola Briscoe sailed a shot past Huntingdon goalie Avery Phillips to give the home team the lead early.
"Nola is great. She’s our free kick dagger, and she does very well. She’s got a knack for those long-range shots," said Moore. “The shot was excellent. It was perfect placement. Saw the keeper, then a far post. Excellent shot."
Both teams clamped down their defenses, keeping the other predominantly out of the other end.
Bald Eagle just missed making it a two-goal lead when Savanna Albright found herself on a breakaway attempt. Going one-on-one with Phillips, Albright sent a liner that was stopped in its tracks, keeping the game stuck at 1-0.
The Bearcats came out very aggressively to start the second, pushing the ball right down into the Bald Eagle back-third. But despite being outshot 6-3 in the half, the Eagle defense continued to clear things out.
Walker also was busy throughout the second, nailing three clutch saves. Time after time, the Bearcats tried to force in a goal and each time they would go back downfield frustrated and still scoreless.
Despite the intensity level rising with each ticking minute, the young Eagles were up to the challenge in route to the victory.
"I think it was character building. I told them I would take a 1-0 nail biter. That does a lot for your psyche,” said Moore. “To know that you can come back and do that is a really, really, really great, great feeling. Good for the girls.”
Bald Eagle is back in action Saturday at Moshannon Valley.
Bald Eagle Area 1, Huntingdon 0
BEA – Nola Briscoe (unassisted), 7:17.
Shots on goal: HUN 6, BEA 6. Corners: HUN 4, BEA 4.
Saves: Cami Walker (BEA) 6, Avery Phillips (HUN) 5.