Licking Heights girls soccer not giving inch in central Ohio fray
WESTERVILLE — The Licking Heights girls soccer team pressured Worthington Christian all afternoon Saturday, and it nearly paid off after 79 minutes and 40 seconds.
Unfortunately, a tying attempt from freshman Evelyn Caruso rolled just wide in the final seconds as the Hornets fell 1-0 to the host Warriors. It, however, was a battle that showed they are continuing to fight their way up the ladder in central Ohio.
"We definitely have a lot of young players, who are seeing a lot of minutes, so the future is definitely bright," Heights coach Mickey Cronin said. "We still have a lot of work to do, but I am really excited at where we are at. Worthington Christian is a strong soccer-specific school in all reality, so it's good to compete against good competition. I wish we could have come out with the result, but that's not the way it goes all of the time."
It was an identical one-goal loss for Heights to Worthington Christian as a season ago, but the Hornets are continuing their ascent. With a blend of experience in the midfield and backfield and fresh legs up front, the Hornets (1-2) kept the Warriors (4-1) on their heels much of the way.
Worthington Christian, however, took the lead with less than 15 minutes left on a goal by senior Audrey Meadows. Heights pushed its way back into the Warriors’ end down the stretch, and the Hornets had one final chance when a free kick from their end bounced into the open field about 30 yards out, giving Caruso an attempt at sliding it past her defender and goalkeeper Amelia Wilson.
"It shows as a program we are growing and we are getting better, and we are someone to watch out for now," senior Natalie Culp said. "People think, 'Oh Licking Heights, it's going to be a blowout.' We can compete with everyone now. ... We definitely have things to work on, but we are doing what we are doing in practice. We are doing a good job competing, and that's all we can ask for."
Rivals coming together
On Thursday, Licking Heights hosts Watkins Memorial when the two rivals match up as "Allies Against Breast Cancer." The teams will raise money for breast cancer awareness.
Seniors Sophie Queen and Audrey Beaver and junior Savannah Cronin were strong in the midfield, giving plenty of opportunities for freshmen Caruso, Emma French and Addison Caudill to work in the open field. French made multiple runs from the wing, and Wilson just barely deflected a point-blank shot wide early in the second half.
The defense led by seniors Kaylyn Hopf and Bella Yager did its part, too, helping junior goalkeeper Ellie Wright keep the explosive Warriors at bay.
"Their midfield is really good, and I felt like we matched up really well," Mickey Cronin said. "For the most part, I feel like we dominated the game in the mid. They just got loose a couple times and ended up capitalizing on one of our mistakes. Thinking back on how it went, we had the ball in our end more often than not which speaks to the hard work our mids and everybody else was putting in to get possession."
Heights had its share of near misses, too, last season, finishing at 6-8-3. The Hornets will attempt to avenge two of those losses this week, hosting Bishop Hartley on Tuesday and rival Watkins Memorial on Thursday.
The Hornets played a nip-and-tuck opener against Worthington Kilbourne before injuries allowed the Wolves to grab a 4-2 victory late. The Hornets opened its Licking County League season with a 4-1 victory against Johnstown last Thursday as Savannah Cronin recorded a hat trick, converting a pair of penalty kicks and French adding the fourth goal.
"We are trying to focus on growth," Cronin said. "Taking the losses hurt, but the ones that have been around have been through a whole different spectrum of quality of play and wins and losses. There are probably plenty of times in Lady Hornet history this game would have been 6-0. We are building something here."
Sophomore Zoe Kubinsky and freshman Charlotte Beaver also see extensive time with the Hornets, and Sydney Kingery and Kaitlyn Wells add to a seven-senior class.
Heights finished 8-8 two seasons ago and has its best blend of youth and experience yet. The Hornets have what they hope is a winning mix of all four classes on the varsity roster.
"We have more experience," Culp said. "These freshmen have been playing club since like fifth grade, so they know the game. That is a big difference. We have gotten close with the freshmen, and that's helped with the chemistry, them being there since the jump."
ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com
740-973-4541
Twitter: @newarkurt
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Heights girls soccer not giving inch in central Ohio fray
