Liberty Falls In Sweet 16 To Gahanna On PK’s

For the third year in a row, the #2 Olentangy Liberty Girls Soccer team advanced to the “Sweet 16” of the OHSAA Division I State Playoffs, and on Tuesday faced #1 Gahanna with a trip to the Elite 8 on the line.

The Pattys left it all on the field, but after 110 minutes of soccer, including two overtimes, the game ended in a 1-1 draw and was decided in Penalty Kicks where Liberty did not advance by a tally of 2-4.

Both goals came on set pieces, with Liberty scoring first on an Emma Koshan corner kick that was headed home by Sarina Dirrig in the 24th minute. Gahanna’s goalkeeper also made two major saves to deny scoring chances by Dirrig and Abby Townsend in the first half. Gahanna would equalize in the 66th minute off a corner kick, and regulation time ended with the score 1-1.

In the two “golden goal” overtime periods, Liberty actually had the run of play and more chances, but neither team could find the back of the goal.  The official result for the match was a draw, with advancement to be determined by shots from the Penalty spot where Gahanna prevailed. They advance to play Pickerington North who won in the final seconds of overtime over Dublin Jerome.

Liberty ends the season with a record of 15-3-2 (last night’s match is officially a draw).

As the season comes to a close earlier than all had hoped, we send a salute to our 9 outstanding seniors, Ellie Bambeck, Emma Campbell, Sheila Colbert, Sarina Dirrig, Sophie Fallieras, Morgan Gray, Emma Koshan, Grace Poncsak, and Abby Summers, whose four years at Liberty have yielded the most wins in a four year period and many other milestones that will be celebrated at the banquet later in November.

Thanks as well to all of the players, parents, family members, students, administrators and volunteers who helped to make the 2016 season special.

As always, GO PATTYS!

NOTE: For the season team results, click HERE. For the season individual statistics, click HERE.