Gabarra’s goal, defense lift Bruins
Second-half score helps Broadneck grind out tough victory over Seahawks
Time and space with the ball is mostly limited when Anne Arundel County rivals South River and Broadneck play in girls soccer.
Still scoreless past the midway point of the second half in Thursday’s showdown, Broadneck junior midfielder Talia Gabarra was well aware she didn’t have much of either to make the difference.
When freshman midfielder Ellie Shurman placed a low firm ball to the middle, Gabarra made sure to get to it first by beating a couple of defenders. From there, she one-timed a shot from14 yards out that found the lower right corner — the goal coming with 14:48 to play to give the No. 10 Bruins a 1-0 home win over No. 5 South River.
Broadneck improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the county, while the Seahawks fell to 1-2 and 0-1 in league play.
In a game that featured grinding defense, the Bruins flashed a precise attack when it was needed most.
Sophomore midfielder Skylar Flewellyn sent a ball down the right side for Shurman, who took a couple dribbles and then a quick look up before placing an ideal square ball for Gabarra.
“Ellie Shurman is always awesome on the ball and when she did dribble, I knew I had to get into the box because I knew she was going to be successful with the ball,” Gabarra said. “When it came to me, I just tapped it in – right place at the right time. [It was] awesome.”
Coming off a disappointing 2-0 loss at No. 15 Patterson Mill on Tuesday, the Seahawks showed more intensity coming out against the Bruins on Thursday.
After a first half with no considerable threat to either goal, South River had the first good chance to break through minutes into the second half, when sophomore midfielder Darby Reinhart hit a heavy left-footed shot from 30 yards that hit off the left post.
After Gabarra gave the Bruins the lead, the visitors pressured but couldn’t answer with the Bruins defense proving up to the challenge. Freshman goalie Maija Schwartz (five saves) stopped a shot from the Seahawks’ Shannon Parness with10:40 to play and then alertly had the near post covered to grab a ball sent in from Reinhart with 2:40 to play.
Despite the setback, South River coach John Sis was happy the Seahawks were able to put together two quality halves, something he didn’t see in the loss two days earlier.
“We’re still not holding on to the ball as well as we could, but it’s a long season and we’ll continue to work on that,” he said. “Unfortunately, with Broadneck they’re only going to give you a couple chances and you’ve got to take advantage of them.”