Millbrook keeps Wakefield girls soccer out the net, defeat Wolverines 1-0
The Millbrook girls’ soccer team has a simple philosophy: As long as the other team doesn’t score, the Wildcats can win.
That trend continued Wednesday night as Millbrook defeated Cap-8 Conference foe Wakefield 1-0.
The Wildcats (7-1-1, 3-0-1) remain perfect when keeping opponents out of the net. The Wolverines (6-2-1, 1-2-1) had only given up two goals all season, but surrendered one to Maya Celetti in the 21st minute of the game.
Celetti, the junior forward, found herself in the right place at the right time. Hayley Flowers took a shot from inside the box that bounced off the post. Celetti was Johnny on the spot, kicking in the rebound.
“Hayley kicked it and I stayed in the box because the goalie had a lot of touches,” Celetti said. “It hit the crossbar and I kind of one-timed it. I didn’t think it was going to hit the post.”
Wakefield had several shots at the net late in the game, a contrast from the first half when the Wolverines couldn’t get any good looks. However, Millbrook goalie Hayleigh Pack and the rest of the defense turned their opponents away time and time again.
“It’s just really a great thing being able to work with your defense,” Pack said. “I feel like each game we’re getting better with communicating and better understanding positioning and really working well with one another.”
The Wolverines had two kicks in the final 15 minutes that could have tied the score. The first, a free-kick attempt by Christina McCartney that sailed over the net. The final look was an attempt from Megan O’Ferreal, who had her shot blocked by Pack.
“They were a good team,” Wakefield coach C.J. Komons said. “They are good all around the field. That was definitely one of the toughest games we’ve played so far. It’s very frustrating because it’s two games in a row where we can’t find the back of the net.”
Turning point
Celetti’s single goal was obviously a big one. Not only did it put points on the board, but it took some pressure off of the Wildcats.
“That goal was an enormous moment,” Millbrook coach Matt Edwards said. “Getting that lead, all of a sudden it gives us the confidence to try and go and get more. At the same time you have a little less weight on your shoulders.”
Three to know
Maya Celetti, Millbrook: Junior forward had the lone goal of the night, taking the pressure off of her team. Also, according to Edwards, she did a lot of the “dirty work.”
“She’s working off the ball and she’s getting deflections,” Edwards said. “She’s not getting a ton of shots, as much as she’s just making it really hard for them to clear the zone. That’s a big thing.”
Hayleigh Pack, Millbrook: The sophomore goalie kept the Wolverines out of the net all evening.
Alexis Strickland, Millbrook: Freshman was praised by Edwards for winning multiple headers versus Wakefield.
They said it
“High school kids, they always want the results, they always want to be able to tweet this and tell their friends that,” Edwards said. “But if they can just get to a moment where they can just play and not feel like the world is closing in on them.”
This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 9:10 PM with the headline "Millbrook keeps Wakefield girls soccer out the net, defeat Wolverines 1-0."