Pattys Make Program History & Advance To Regional Final (Elite 8), But Work Is Not Done! (11/3/15)

Goal Celebration!

The #6 Olentangy Liberty Patriots Girls Soccer team entered Dublin Jerome Stadium on Tuesday evening with an opportunity to make program history and advance to the State Regional Final (Elite 8) for the first time.  Standing in the way was conference foe, Upper Arlington, who had captured a District Champioinship vs. New Albany (who eliminated #1 Jerome earlier). The Golden Bears were playing some of their best soccer of the season, and came with a chip on their shoulder hoping to avenge an earlier season 0-3 loss.

Fast forward to the finish and history was indeed made, with a 3-1 victory and a trip to the Regional Final secured where the Pattys will face the Olentangy Braves.  Olentangy defeated Pickerington North by a score of 1-0 to advance.

Natalie Amodeo

Liberty came out on the attack and in the first half UA did not register a single shot on goal. The Pattys would open the scoring in the 13th minute, when Senior Captain Emma Waters whipped in a corner kick that was redirected by Junior Sarina Dirrig to the far post where Sophomore Natalie Amodeo buried the shot past the UA Goalkeeper. The goal was Amodeo’s 3rd of the year,coming on the heels of her game winning assist in the District Championship. Both Dirrig and Waters were credited with assists on the goal.

Kenzie Coyne

The lead would be extended to 2-0 twenty minutes later, with a familiar connection when Senior Jordan Fike would battle down the flank to earn a corner kick, which Waters served in and Dirrig converted for a quality header goal.  On the evening, Waters increased her total to 11 assists for the season (a record for Liberty defenders).  The Patriots dominated the entire half, with several opportunities to extend the lead into halftime, but the scoreboard would still show 2-0 at the break.  UA would counter 10 minutes into the second half and reduce the lead on a breakaway by the Bears #21 (Dible) who slotted the ball past the Liberty Goalkeeper. UA would sustain pressure for another 10 minutes, making the game much more interesting than it should have been. The Pattys finally regained control of possession and momentum in the final 20 minutes, and sealed the victory in the 68th minute when Senior Captain Hailey Pickelheimer slotted a ball toward the corner to Sophomore Abby Jones, who beat two defenders down the left flank, and sent a long cross into a perfect location for Dirrig to head home the goal, her second goal of the night and team leading 19th of the season. Click HERE for the Fike Fan Cam video highlights!

Meridith Shook & Abby Summers

On the evening, Liberty outshot Upper Arlington 19 to 7, with 9 on goal.  Junior Goalkeeper Emma Campbell registered 5 saves, including 3 crucial stops during Upper Arlington’s surge after their first goal.

The Victory was sweet and history was made, but the consensus of the Patriots players and coaches is that their work is not done. The team will now prepare for their matchup with intra-district rival Olentangy, which will take place on Saturday, November 7th at Westerville Central High School at 12:00 Noon, time has been confirmed. Check out the Central Region Bracket HERE and State Bracket HERE.

A special thanks to all the Patriots’ students, staff, family and friends who showed their support tonight, let’s build on this and pack the house on Saturday!

GO PATTYS!!!!