Pattys Drop Conference Opener At Orange 0-2

Caitlin Curmode (Junior – Defender)

The Liberty Girls Soccer team came into the OCC Buckeye Conference opener vs. Olentangy Orange rested and well prepared, having an 8 day hiatus since their last match (5-0 win vs. Newark) and also having scouted the Pioneers. The feeling going into the match was that the two squads were fairly equal in ability and that the outcome would be heavily dependent on work rate and desire.

Elise Koshan (Junior – Midfielder)

The first 5 minutes looked favorable for the Pattys including a scoring chance off the opening kick, but the tide would turn soon after that and Orange’s edge in work rate and desire to win 50/50 challenges created a possession advantage throughout the half. Orange would capitalize in the 9th minute when a free kick was awarded from distance on what appeared to be a fair  challenge.  The ensuing shot floated into the top corner to give Orange a 1-0 lead. Orange had the better of possession for most of the half but neither team threatened the goal again before the break.

Liberty came out in stronger form in the second half but was not able to find the net. In the last five minutes the Pattys pushed a defender forward to try to get the equalizer, but instead yielded a second score in the 77th minute which ended the match at 0-2.

In the earlier match, JVA played to a 1-1 draw and their record is now 3-3-1. JVB is currently 5-2-2 and 2-0-1 in their last three matches.

Next up for Liberty is Lakota East on Saturday at home, Coach Hillary Carter’s alma mater. This is the second match in the series that began last year at Lakota East, where Coach Carter was inducted into their Hall of Fame that afternoon.  JVA at 1PM, Varsity at 3PM.

GO PATTYS!