Chambersburg ends girls soccer season on high note
If it weren't for Greencastle-Antrim goalkeeper Hannah Beeler, things might've gotten rough for the Blue Devils early.
In a non-league girls soccer game on Wednesday night at Trojan Stadium, Chambersburg created several offensive opportunities, but most of them were thwarted by Beeler.
Except two. And those were the only two the Lady Trojans needed to claim a 2-0 victory to end both teams' seasons.
"I told them to stick to the basics in terms of maintaining position," Chambersburg coach Ed Franchi said. "We needed to communicate, and one of the things we say is 'Breathe out.' When we have the ball, breathe out and find that space. They did a nice job of maintaining space."
The Trojans (6-12) had a few solid chances early on, but Beeler collected three saves in the first 20 minutes of the game. She finished with eight on the night.
"Hannah is only a sophomore, and she has tremendous hand-eye coordination," G-A coach Greg Cole said. "She's not the biggest or the strongest, but she reads the game well, and her hand-eye coordination and reflexes are great."
In the 21st minute, Chambersburg finally broke through. Gabby Lecuona threw the ball in directly to Lauren Ocker, who headed the ball over Beeler's hands for the first tally. Lecuona nearly netted a goal of her own just before the half, but Beeler scooped up the save.
"I knew her from experience, but I don't remember her playing goal that much, but she was tough," Lecuona said of Beeler. "When I almost had that goal at the end, I was so mad because I couldn't finish it."
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Greencastle-Antrim (5-11-2) had some of its best chances early in the second half. One such opportunity came when the Blue Devils secured a free kick from just outside the 18. They got the ball in front and in traffic, but a shot by Heidi Schanzenbacher ricocheted off the post.
"It was our night to not put the ball in the back of the net," Cole said. "When we settle down and play to feet, we're a very good ballclub. When we feel rushed and panicky, we don't play real well."
Chambersburg scored some insurance late, as Lecuona juked around a pair of defenders into the open field and stuck one into the lower right corner of the net.
"They like me up front because of my speed, so I try to make those runs," Lecuona said. "I get offsides a lot, though. But at the end, I made that run and I got through and scored. It feels real good to end (with a win)."