Williamston's defense rises to challenge with shutout of Flint Powers Catholic in regional title game
WILLIAMSTON – The Williamston girls soccer team rarely concedes goals.
The Hornets had only allowed eight in their last 14 matches heading into Wednesday’s regional semifinal against Essexville Garber.
Williamston would come away with the overtime win, but the Dukes put four goals in, leaving a sour taste in the Hornets’ mouths. So it’s safe to say there was an emphasis on defense heading into their Division 3 regional championship game Saturday night against Flint Powers Catholic.
Whatever drills and instructions coach Steve Horn preached to his defense the two days in between games worked like a charm, as top-ranked Williamston won the regional title for the second consecutive season with a 4-0 shutout of the 13th-ranked Chargers at Williamston High School.
“That’s all we worked on, because we don’t concede a lot of goals,” Horn said. “Giving up four on Wednesday took us away from who we are. So we went back to the roots and really focused on defending and being stout defensively.
“It was back to basics. (One-on-one) defending and good cover. Just made sure we’re all on the same page and doing the same thing.”
Williamston goalkeeper Abby Pieper didn't face too many shots, but made a couple of great saves on back-to-back attempts a second apart in the second half.
Leading the way in the Hornet defense is center back Ellie Maxson. The senior, who will play at the University of Indianapolis next year, said playing more relaxed under pressure, communicating better and trusting in each other was an important factor in her team earning its ninth clean sheet of the season.
“We were a lot better at connecting our passes and finding feet,” Maxson said. “I think the pressure scared us last time we played. This time we were able to calm down and play the way we’re supposed to play.
“Last game, we were very panicked and super nervous. This game, we didn’t let our nerves get to us as much, which was a better outcome than last game.”
Another challenge Garber posed on Wednesday was speed up top with multiple attackers, something Williamston doesn't see much. Garber's forwards continuously pressed defensively and pushed forward whenever they got the ball.
"Even when we played Haslett, we weren’t under that kind of pressure as when we played Garber," Maxson said. "So we knew this game was going to be similar to Garber and we were a lot more ready for the pressure and how to handle it. “
Many of the same players from last year’s state semifinal team are key contributors this season, including senior Liz Bellinger, the Hornets’ engine in the midfield. The Hornets lost to eventual state champion, Detroit Country Day, 1-0, in last year's Final Four game.
“Even though we’re back at the same spot, I think we’re a lot more successful than we were last year,” Bellinger said. “We’ve played harder teams to get to this point, and to be able to dominate like we should is exactly what I wanted to see. I’m really excited and we’re just going to hustle until the end and hopefully win and get to the top.”
Williamston scored three first-half goals to take control . The Hornets took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute as junior Ella Kleiver scored off a through-ball from Emma Gorsline. With six minutes left in the half, Kaley Douglass stretched the advantage to 2-0 after dribbling past multiple defenders and firing on goal.
Kleiver got her second goal just a minute later for a 3-0 lead heading into the break. Isabel Lindo scored 11 minutes into the second half to provide the final margin.
“Powers and Williamston has become a rivalry over the last few years. And we know that every time we play them, it’s going to be hard,” Horn said. “They’re physical and they’re aggressive, but we did a really good job of holding our lines, not allowing them to get much and countering in the right moments.”
Williamston will play third-ranked Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (17-4-3) in the state semifinals at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Parker Middle School in Howell.
Contact digital sports reporter Phil Friend at 517-377-1220 or pfriend@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Phil_Friend.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Williamston shuts out Flint Powers Catholic for D3 regional title
