Providence holds off Middle Creek for a 2-1 4A Title win
Panther Creek denied Providence a 4A Women’s Soccer State Championship a season ago as Panther Creek sped to a 2-0 win. This year’s Providence Panthers squad would not be denied as they poured on the pressure in the early part of the second half, netting two goals before holding off late-charging Middle Creek.
Hard-working Mady Ellis earned a corner kick for Providence with a third speedy run down the right side, earning the corner on a deflection by the Middle Creek keeper. Sophomore Panther defender Mia Thillet sent in a beautiful ball from the corner to the edge of the six, and it dropped right to Molly McGarry who buried the ball in the back of the net with 31 minutes to play. McGarry’s goal, her 19th of the season, and solid midfield play earned her the game’s M.V.P. award.
Providence added another goal on a breakaway opportunity as Madeline McIver’s shot was stopped by Caroline Lauer initially, but the rebound popped far enough free to Jenn Simons and the Panthers put in goal number 2 with 7:28 to play.
Middle Creek responded immediately as Mustang forward Kylie McElroy converted a turnover at the top of the box into a goal, blasting a shot off the keeper and in, just 12 seconds after the Providence goal, to make the score 2-1 with just under 7:20 to play.
Middle Creek continued to pour on the pressure in the final minutes of play, as Mattie Murphy sent a 20 yard shot a foot wide, before clanging one off the crossbar minutes later, either shot would could have been the equalizer.
The Mustangs earned a free kick in the corner with 13 seconds to play, and a quick restart found Grace Kennedy at the edge of the box. Kennedy turned and found herself wide open with the keeper to beat, she slid a ball toward the left post and found teammate Kylie McElroy on the doorstep to put it in, but McElroy was whistled for an offside violation and the time expired with Providence the winner, 2-1.
Providence closed the season 25-1-1 on the year, winning the school’s second State Championship in Women’s Soccer and their first since a win over Broughton in the 1997 title game.
