Elsah, IL – Tonight, the 6th seeded Principia Women's Soccer team played in the SLIAC conference quarterfinals against 3rd seeded Greenville. In the regular season, Greenville outscored Prin 8-1, but the Panthers played an action-packed 90 minutes against Greenville, going toe-to-toe with them.
The Panther's defense played a high line, catching the Greenville forwards offsides numerous times, including an offsides goal that Greenville scored in the final minute of the second half. After a. scooreless first 90 minutes, the game went into overtime, playing golden goal. Both teams had chances, before Greenville prevailed on a one v one breakaway seven minutes into the extra period. Principia's backline of three played an aggressive defense under near-constant pressure from Greenville. Sophomore
Kaija Ufert and Seniors
Kiona Sperr and
Sophie Hills stayed connected and shut down attempt after attempt from Greenville trying to go to jail. The midfield, anchored by freshman
Olivia Scott, did a great job of remaining connected to the Panthers' backline, possessing and stepping to the ball before Greenville. Goalkeeper
Leslie Barrera also played an outstanding game, making numerous key saves to keep the Panthers in the match.
Senior
Edner Oloo worked hard on the wing, making runs and applying aggressive pressure to win the ball again. She pressed forward offensively, finding the feet of other attacking Panthers and finding herself a shot on goal. Senior
Kiona Sperr, one of the team captains, held firm at center back, intercepting and clearing ball after ball. She stuck close to Greenville's forward, stepping to win the ball rather than allowing a shot on Principia's keeper. Senior
Sophie Hills, playing at outside back, held a firm line as well, making sure the Greenville players on her side of the field couldn't make runs and receive the ball uncontested. Hills cleared the ball from the box several times when Greenville players were setting up for shots.
"This was by far the best game we've played. We didn't lose anything," said
Viviane de Castro, one of the captains.
This hard fought game wraps up the season for the Women's Soccer team.
