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STEUBENVILLE -- Players have to keep their heads up and keep playing -- even after a costly mistake.
The Catholic Central girls soccer team held a one-goal advantage against Indian Creek late in the second half, when an attempted clear hit off an Indian Creek player and into the net tying the score.
In the blink of an eye, a potential win turned into a potential tie, however, the Crusaders regrouped and came right back as Maria Meyer scored her third goal of the match with 4:57 left to play leading Catholic Central to a 3-2 victory Wednesday evening on the Tony Recinella Soccer Field.
“On that one, there was a group of girls there, and our goalie did not pick the ball up,” Catholic Central (9-2-1) head coach Jonathan Hoover said about what led to the match-tying goal being scored. “She made the first save, but she did not grab the ball and hold it. The ball was loose, and they were able to capitalize on our mistake.”
Following the goal, Hoover told his team to keep their heads up, and they responded with the winning goal.
“We talk about resolve and not letting up,” Hoover said. “Traditionally, that is a game we would have let slip away. We tell the girls to believe in themselves. We tell them to keep playing and to believe in our style of play. We are trying to build their confidence up.”
Trailing by a goal, the Redskins were down, however, the goal by freshman Hannah Long rejuvenated their spirits. Unfortunately, Indian Creek quickly found themselves behind the 8-ball once again as Meyer recorded her third unassisted goal of the day.
“This is the third day in a row we have played a game,” first-year Indian Creek (1-7-1) head coach Cate Calissie said. “I expected us to be out of gas, but we came out ready to play. We like to play hectic. That makes the other teams more nervous. Our kids fought. Unfortunately, our season has not gone the way we hoped. There are some results we are not happy with, but we didn’t quit. Our girls do not give up. They keep their heads up.”
Megan Brown made two saves in goal for the Crusaders.
Maddie Ujcich contributed the first goal for Indian Creek, while Rebecca Blackburn and Abby Starkey each contributed an assist.
Kylie Anderson made six saves for the visitors.
The Redskins struck first as they scored off a corner kick. Ujcich found the back of the net off a feed from Starkey giving Indian Creek an early 1-0 lead.
“They played differently than they have in the past,” Hoover said. “They lost some real-talented players up top. They caught us off guard with that corner kick to start the game.”
The girls in white held the lead until there was around 18 minutes left when Meyer scored her first goal evening the score at 1.
The match remained deadlocked at halftime, and the score remained tied for about 25 minutes into the second half before Meyer struck again to regain the lead for the Crusaders at 2-1.
“They pretty much did what we expected,” Calissie said. “They are tough. They are talented. The possess the ball well. When we play hectic like that, it forces teams to play a different style.”
Catholic Central was controlling the ball, however, the Redskins were able to launch a counterattack, and a failed clearance resulted in Indian Creek knotting the score at 2.
The Crusaders, however, were not going to be denied as Meyer – a junior forward – stepped up and came through in the clutch for Catholic Central.
Like with the Redskins’ last goal, a loose ball led to Catholic Central’s winning goal. Anderson stopped the first shot, however, she was unable to secure the ball, and Meyer was able to get her foot on the loose ball knocking it into the back of the net to give her team a 3-2 lead.
“It was very important,” Hoover said asked how important it was for his team to bounce back with a win coming off a loss to Linsly in the OVAC Class 1A/3A Final Saturday afternoon down at Wheeling Island Stadium. “We are close to the sectional draw, and we want to have as many wins as we can going into the tournament so we can get a higher seed.
“Mentally, it was really important. We have to be mentally strong. We cannot let one loss derail our season.”
Both teams are scheduled to play in the ninth annual “Together We Care” Soccer Cancer Benefit on Reno Saccoccia Field inside Harding Stadium. Indian Creek is slated to open the day by playing Edison at 10 a.m. The Redskins opened the season with a win against Edison at home at Kettlewell Stadium.
Meanwhile, Catholic Central is set to take on city-rival Big Red at 4 p.m. in the fourth and final match of the day.
“Absolutely, it is a big game,” Hoover said. “We are looking forward to playing them, and we are looking forward to helping out this charity.”