The Highlands girls’ varsity soccer team took down Central Hardin with a 2-1 win on Oct. 29. During the game, Ally Lickert (9) scored late into the game to put the birds up 1-0, but Central Hardin responded quickly by scoring off a corner to tie the game up 1-1. After two overtimes, the score remained the same, so they had to go into penalty kicks (PK). Bailee Class (10) saved two shots and scored the winning shot for the girls to win 4-2, which made the score 2-1.
“I definitely was still on an adrenaline rush from saving the last PK because I knew we were close to winning. I just went up there with confiden
ce and I just stayed calm and kept it on frame,” said Class.
Coming off of the bench to make a crucial PK is also a huge deal because practicing PKs and taking one in a big game is a different atmosphere.
“I had the confidence and practice and knew I would make the PK. We took time out of practice to take those shots and I knew that if I stayed focused it would go into the back of the net,” said Hailey Fritz (10).
During PKs, it’s hard to keep track of how many shots and saves are needed to win.
“I really didn’t know we had won when I scored. I kind of lost track, but I turned just to go get back on the line to save another, but then I turned and my whole team was sprinting at me. It was awesome,” said Class.
Scoring in such a big game to tie the game up in PKs is an amazing feeling for not only the player, but the whole team.
“The atmosphere after I scored was ecstatic. I sprinted back realizing that we were in this together and knew that if the energy was high, our spirits would be too. When running back to my teammates, it was more of us laughing and being excited than exchanging words,” said Fritz.
Contributing durin
g such a big game is a huge accomplishment and especially if the team executes the game plan perfectly.
“I was really happy because we always practice crosses, but we rarely get to finish them in games. It’s such a good way to score, and it felt rewarding to finally make it count,” said Reese Wilkens (12).
Preparing for the state championship is difficult because it is the biggest game of the year and the competition is the hardest it will be in the whole tournament.
“Mentally, I just keep telling myself that it’s my last high school game, so I really have nothing to lose. As a team, we’ve been watching films to find ways to exploit their weaknesses while also understanding their strengths and how to defend against them,” said Wilkens.
These birds will take on Sacred Heart on Saturday, Nov. 1 and it will be the biggest competition yet, but they have done all they can do to prepare and now it is time to compete.
