(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – A historic season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion as No. 2 Wilson was beaten in a penalty kick shootout with No. 3 Cairn on Tuesday afternoon. While the Skye Division semifinal ended in a tie, the Highlanders advance to Thursday's division championship.
The Basics
Score: No. 2 Wilson 2, No. 3 Cairn 2 (Cairn advances on PK's 6-5)
Venue: Kris's Meadow
Records: No. 2 Wilson 14-4-2, No. 3 Cairn 7-5-4
How It Happened
- Cairn was the first to light up the scoreboard as early pressure led to a goal just inside the 11th minute. While the Phoenix attempted to clear, the Highlanders' Grace Miller booted the ball from about 30 yards out in a high, arching shot. Rebecca Marakovitz (Jr., New Market, Md. / Linganore) was able to get a piece of it, but the tough angle made it too tough to corral.
- Thankfully it didn't take long for the Blue and White to respond. Halley Shaffer (So., Sunbury, Pa. / Line Mountain) set up the equalizer just four minutes later as she dribbled along the right side of the end line before sending a cross to the near post where Katie Riley (Sr., Mt. Airy, Md. / Urbana) was able to flick it in. Wilson was able to outshoot Cairn 10-3 for the rest of the period, but neither team could find the back of the net before the half.
- The Highlanders had the early advantage in the second half with five shots in the first 10 minutes, but it was the Phoenix who scored the go-ahead goal on a corner kick in the 62nd minute. Maddy Miller (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) did the honors from the left side while Skylar Molnar (Jr., Sholhola, Pa. / Delaware Valley) was the beneficial factor who knocked it just inside the far post.
- Unfortunately, the momentum boost was short-lived. Off the restart, Cairn was able to drive down and knock in the game-tying goal as Becca Marzinke found Julia Bruestle just 19 seconds later.
- Both teams had chances in the final 30. Wilson had most of the opportunities with seven shots in the final 12 minutes. The Phoenix were also awarded a penalty kick with five minutes to go, but Miller's attempt was saved by Highlander keeper Isabelle Portis on the right side.
- Few opportunities arose in the two overtime periods which left both teams to square off in a shootout. Both teams opened up with successful takes in the first three rounds. Marakovitz made an incredible kick save after diving too far right in the fourth round to give the Phoenix the advantage, but Wilson missed its fifth round attempt to keep the shootout going. After both teams missed the sixth round attempt, the Highlanders converted in the seventh around and made the save on the ensuing Phoenix chance to advance.
Inside The Numbers
- Wilson outshout Cairn 26-16 overall while shots on goal were a bit more even at 13-9 in favor of the Phoenix.
- Corner kicks were a different story as Wilson had all but one of the 12 in the game. The Phoenix had at least one in all four periods.
- The shootout was the first for Wilson in program history.
- Shaffer's assist gives her 48 points for the season. Both her 22 goals and 48 points are program marks for a single season.
