MORGANTOWN — In the first of two Mohawk Bowl soccer games this week, the Morgantown girls’ team (8-1) made the short trip to Baker’s Ridge and visited University High (3-6). MHS netted seven goals, including its 40th on the year, downing crosstown rival UHS 7-1.
Ten minutes in saw the Mohigans with nearly all of the offensive possession. However, the Hawks defense was stifling from the opening whistle and didn’t give up any easy looks on goal to their opponents.
Just after 10 minutes had past, MHS earned a free kick 25 yards away from goal on the left side of the box. Junior Gracie Brown sent the ball over the wall but directly at the hands of UHS keeper Paige Hammack. The ball was fumbled and eventually found its way into the Hawks’ net, with no clear indication of who it deflected off of out of the scrum that ensued after the dropped free kick.
Soon after, MHS doubled the lead on a penalty kick by Ashleigh Weaver, the first of three PKs for her team on the night, and the first of two for the MHS captain.
The next PK was the next goal in fact, this time scored by Brown. The ball was sent into the box and deflected of the hand of a UHS defender, giving the Mohigans a penalty kick and a 3-0 lead with 15 minutes to play in the opening half.
UHS got a goal back shortly after the third MHS goal. A pass was played back to MHS keeper Madysen Scheller but it wasn’t strong enough, and UHS striker Montana Johansson pounced on the opportunity. She touched the ball around Scheller and but it into the net, cutting into the lead for her team, who still trailed 3-1 at halftime.
With momentum out of the break, the Hawks pressured the Mohigans every chance they had to begin the second half, and actually saw some offensive possession.
UHS head coach Graham Peace knows that his team’s effort against one of the best teams in the state didn’t go unnoticed.
“I could not be more proud, that was one of the best games we have played all season by a mile,” Peace said. “I’m incredibly proud of the way they played, MHS is the best team in the state and we gave them a game and we battled them. We love being able to get games like this and I’m really proud of my players.”
With 30 minutes to go though, MHS would begin to add to the lead.
Weaver earned her second goal on a nice through ball she dribbled around Hammack and rolled into the net, making the lead 4-1. Brown followed her teammate with her second goal soon after, and MHS led 5-1.
Two more goals would see a final score of 7-1 in favor of the Mohigans, who improved to 8-1 on the year, and who may just be the best team in the state. Head coach Stirlin Rivers makes sure his players continue to learn no matter the result at the end of the game.
“We are just trying to be consistent in our game, focusing on our technical abilities,” he said. “Really trying to make sure we create as many opportunities as possible. We are getting better and better and we know we will give up a few chances, but we want to create more chances for ourselves than we give up. It’s showing that we have more of the ball now and it’s working out pretty well.”
The Mohigans return home on Saturday morning to host Winfield with kickoff set for 9 a.m.
UHS will travel to Oak Glen on Saturday for a 10 a.m. kickoff.
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