September 21, 2012 7:00 a.m. —
Meadville was in complete control in the overtime period.
But then all a sudden the attention turned to the opposite end of the field where Titusville had the ball inside the 20-yard line and career scoring leader Faith Champion working to get open.
Meadville sophomore Mackenzie Webber, however, wasn’t having any of it.
Webber worked the sideline and twice stole the ball away. On her second interception, Webber found an open Frankie Mullen down field and delivered a perfect pass to the senior, who had just one person to beat.
Mullen dribbled down field and finally let up at about the 15-yard line where she drove a shot past a diving Lisa Harger and into the corner of the net to give Meadville a thrilling 4-3 win on Thursday at Bender Field.
“It was a beautiful pass from Mackenzie,” Mullen said. “It was perfectly placed right in front of the defender. It was just a great opening and I took the shot and I placed it in the opposite corner. It was just a really nice play and it was set up beautifully by Mac.”
It was a fitting end to a very competitive soccer game between the Route 27 and Region 2 rivals.
Meadville improved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the region with the win. Titusville fell to 4-3 overall and 0-2 in Region 2.
“We’re finally getting some people back from injury,” Meadville coach Elyse Kebert said. “So we’re finding a new dynamic and trying to play as a team. And we’re doing a really nice job putting passes together, more than we had in the past. It’s really exciting to see especially this early in the season and what amazing things can come from here.”
One of the things that pleased Kebert the most about last night’s win was the Bulldogs’ dedication on defense. After all, it was that tenacity that wound up being the difference in the end.
“It’s a perfect example of why you have to play both ways,” Kebert said.
Webber had a couple opportunities earlier in the overtime period to end the game on offense. Her best chance came with 6:06 to play when she was given an open shot, but shot the ball just wide left.
It was two minutes later that Webber set up the heroic shot.
“She created that goal by coming back to defense and doing the extra part of the job,” Kebert said. “Defense doesn’t always get as much glory because they don’t score the goals, but they create plays.”
Titusville got on the board first in the 32nd minute on a goal by Laney Brown. Meadville tied it up at 1-1 in the 24th minute on a shot from Ellen Holmgren from 20 yards off that glanced off the hands of Titusville goalie MacKenzie Foley.
The next goal was scored by Titusville, but gave Meadville a 2-1 lead. Meadville’s Carly Glatch was credited with the goal, following a corner kick that was inadvertently headed in by a Titusville player during a battle in front of the net. That is where the score remained at halftime.
Then it got interesting.
It took Titusville a mere minute and 31 seconds to score two goals and take a 3-2 lead in the second half. The Rockets tied it at 2-2 on a goal by Champion at 24:57. Brown added her second of the goal of the game at 23:26 to give Titusville a 3-2 lead.
“They have a couple really tough girls,” Kebert said of Titusville. “Our defense really rose to the occasion to shut them down. Looking at the stats from their games, they score a lot of goals. I’m glad we held them to as few as we did today.”
Brown’s goal was indeed the last Titusville would score.
Meadville tied it up at 3-3 with 11:03 left with Holmgren’s second goal on an assist by Mullen. That is where the score remained through regulation.
“We’re doing really well,” Webber said. “It’s exciting.”
Meadville played yesterday’s game with a new goal keeper. Senior Sarah Bratek missed the game due to injury, allowing sophomore Ashleigh Piper to step in goal.
Piper made 12 saves. Bratek is expected to be back for the ’Dogs next game on Saturday against unbeaten Hickory at Bender Field.
Local Sports
H.S. GIRLS SOCCER: Bulldogs topple Rockets in overtime
- Local Sports
-
-
TRACK AND FIELD: Sternby focused on the little details heading into state meet
The 100-meter dash. Of any athletic endeavor, the 100-meter probably goes by the quickest — around 10 to 13 seconds from start to finish. The difference between winning and losing can sometimes be measured by a blink of an eye.
Yet, there is a lot that goes on in that 10 to 13 seconds. A runner has a lot of T’s to carefully cross and I’s to precisely dot to be on the winning side of one of those eye-blink moments. -
BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Cats, 'Dogs to battle it out for D-10 crown
Meadville is still playing like a team on fire. Saegertown is putting together a stingy defense to go along with its big hitters. And those two forces of nature will collide today at 7 p.m. at Meadville’s House of Thrills in the District 10 Class AA boys volleyball championship match.
-
Northcott stellar as Cardinals upend Eagles
Welcome to the Ryan Express II, Kennedy Catholic.
Resembling the original Ryan Express (Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan), Cochranton ace hurler Ryan Northcott handcuffed the Golden Eagles with a three-hit 1-0 shutout Wednesday night in the opening round of the District 10 Class A baseball playoffs on the beautiful Northwestern High School baseball diamond. -
H.S. SOFTBALL: Panthers set to begin defense of District 10 title
The Saegertown softball team has some big-time goals this postseason.
But the Lady Panthers are fully aware of what can happen if you look too far ahead and have the utmost respect for each and every team they may encounter, beginning with Reynolds. -
NBA PLAYOFFS: LeBron saves Heat at buzzer
LeBron James caught the inbounds pass, changed direction and immediately attacked the rim.
There was no one in his way.
There was no stopping him, either.
James made a layup as time expired in overtime, capping a 30-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist effort as the Miami Heat found a way to outlast the Indiana Pacers 103-102 in a wildly back-and-forth Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night. There were 18 ties and 17 lead changes, the last two of those coming in the final 2.2 seconds. -
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Cabrera, Tigers down Indians 11-7 on rainy night
Justin Verlander overcame a rocky start and rain delay to get his fifth win and Miguel Cabrera hit another homer as the Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians 11-7 on Wednesday night, sweeping the two-game series between the AL Central’s top teams.
-
D-10 BASEBALL: Back-to-back homers highlight Panthers’ rain-shortened win
The Saegertown Swat Club can hurt an opponent in a hurry.
Just ask Franklin. -
D-10 SOFTBALL: Solid effort not enough in Tigers’ loss to Fairview
The Maplewood softball team nearly got that complete seven-inning effort it’s been striving for all season long. But it still wasn’t enough to keep up with undefeated Fairview, which bounced the ’Wood from the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals with an 8-1 verdict on Tuesday at Penn State-Behrend.
-
D-10 VOLLEYBALL: Short-handed ’Dogs advance to semifinals
All Meadville has heard since early Sunday when it learned three members of its team would not be suiting up for the District 10 Class AA boys volleyball tournament due to disciplinary actions is “not now.”
-
H.S. BASEBALL: Panthers start road to third straight district title
Many expect the Saegertown baseball team to win this year’s District 10 Class AA title. And coming off of two consecutive championships, and with many of the players from those two teams still in uniform; it’s easy to see why.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
TRACK AND FIELD: Sternby focused on the little details heading into state meet
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
