Huskies edge Wildcats to bounce back
Andrew Grimm CELEBRATING — Harrison Central players celebrate after the final horn of Monday's 2-1 win over Edison.
Andrew Grimm DEFENDING — Harrison Central defender Aubree Barker clears the ball in front of Edison's Ella Bright and teammate Emeri Sefsick.
Andrew Grimm GOAL — Edison's Ella Bright is hoisted by a teammate after her goal in the second half of Monday's game.
Andrew Grimm GREETED — Harrison Central's Abigail Patterson is congratulated by teammate Morgan Stock after her goal.
Andrew Grimm IN PURSUIT — Edison's Ella Bright and Harrison Central's Tayla Thompson pursue the ball on Monday.
Andrew Grimm CELEBRATING — Harrison Central players celebrate after the final horn of Monday's 2-1 win over Edison.
Andrew Grimm DEFENDING — Harrison Central defender Aubree Barker clears the ball in front of Edison's Ella Bright and teammate Emeri Sefsick.
Andrew Grimm GOAL — Edison's Ella Bright is hoisted by a teammate after her goal in the second half of Monday's game.
Andrew Grimm GREETED — Harrison Central's Abigail Patterson is congratulated by teammate Morgan Stock after her goal.
Andrew Grimm IN PURSUIT — Edison's Ella Bright and Harrison Central's Tayla Thompson pursue the ball on Monday.
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CADIZ -- Mindy Madzia knew coming into this season she had a youthful squad with seven freshmen in the mix.
So, after a tough season-opening loss on Saturday, the veteran coach was curious to see how those young players would respond Monday against visiting Edison.
She liked what she saw.
Her Huskies scored a goal in each half and fended off a late Wildcat push to secure a 2-1, bounce-back victory at Wagner Field.
“It was a good bounce back for us,” Madzia said. “We knew coming in this was going to be an even battle skill-wise, we made some changes and the girls did a good job.
“We have seven freshmen and I can see it coming together the more we play. Coming back and getting a win, it is a good sign of their resilience and work ethic.”
Both sides had some opportunities in the opening half, but the score remained deadlocked deep into opening 40 minutes.
That changed in the 36th minute when one of those aforementioned freshmen, Abigail Patterson, connected from in close to open the scoring and give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break.
Edison, making its season debut, came close to knotting the score with a strong chance in the 56th minute, but Huskies keeper Jax Phillipison (18 saves), another of the freshmen, made perhaps her best save of the night.
In a giant swing of momentum from the save, the Huskies came up the field the other way on a counter and Morgan Stock scored from a pass from Patterson less than a minute later for a 2-0 lead.
Edison was not going to go away easily, however. The Wildcats started to push and create some more chances until they finally broke through with just under 11 minutes to play, Ella Bright finding a bouncing rebound and firing it into the goal to cut the deficit in half.
“It was a good start to the season for us, even though it was not the result we wanted,” Edison head coach Sarah Smith said. “The girls worked really hard throughout the summer and showed their toughness after getting down. We had a couple really good chances, we have a couple things to work on and I see it being a good season.”
Edison continued to pressure, but the Huskies defense held strong and they possessed the ball the final minute of the game to seal the deal on the win.
UP NEXT
Edison: Hosts Carrollton on Thursday in its home opener.
Harrison Central: Travels to Beaver Local on Thursday.