The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Panthers stifle rally, hold on for victory
Elyria Catholic looked to end its regular season on a good note at Beaumont heading into playoffs.
Elyria Catholic looked to end its regular season on a good note heading into tournament season as the Panthers squared off against a solid Beaumont team on the road on Oct. 7.
The Panthers (9-6-1) did just that as they defeated the Blue Streaks (10-4-1), 2-1, on a pair of goals from the Uhnak sisters. Beaumont’s six-game winning streak was snapped in the loss.
Elyria Catholic came out firing in the first half.
The Panthers put up 12 of their 18 total shots on goal for the game in the first half, while putting significant pressure on Beaumont’s defense and goal keeper Katie Bagley.
“We were playing to just keep the win and stay healthy before the playoffs,” Elyria Catholic head coach Dana McNeely said.
“Those were our two key things. We wanted to win but we also wanted to stay healthy and avoid any penalties and cards.”
Bagley saved three shots in the first half, however, she wasn’t able to stop a shot from Ally Uhnak in the 25th minute. Uhnak poked the ball over Bagley’s head and into the back of the net to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Elyria Catholic kept the pressure on and extended its lead to 2-0 in the opening minutes of the second frame. Ally Uhnak’s sister sister, Emilie, put one past Bagley in the 44th minute.
“It felt really good (to score),” Emilie Uhnak said. “It was a beautiful ball from Emily Vogel and it just so happened that I got it around the goalie in time for it to go in.”
Something sparked the Blue Streaks at halftime as Beaumont came out in the second half and matched Elyria Catholic’s physicality.
“(Beaumont) turned it up. It was their senior night and they wanted the win,” McNeely said. “We may have wanted it just a little bit more. We had a lot of great opportunities, they just didn’t fall in the back of the net. Going into the playoffs, that is going to be key. We have to keep shooting, keep up the intensity and not get discouraged when we are trying to get that ball into the back of the net.”
Beaumont pulled within 2-1 in the 46th minute on a free kick from Lexi Patton. She booted the ball from distance and it got past Elyria Catholic’s goal keeper Cam Resor.
“The momentum shifted there,” Beaumont head coach Birdie Wargo said. “Soccer is a game where it comes and flows in waves. It’s what you do in those moments and how you tolerate those waves of the game. Tonight, the first half wasn’t our half. In the second half, we came out with a bit more energy. We got a goal early which helped us get right back into the game. It was a tough night for us.”
The Blue Streaks compiled seven shots on goal for the game and five came in the second half as Beaumont was able to get through the tough Panthers defense.
In the end, Elyria Catholic staved off the Blue Streaks’ second-half surge to win their final game of the season before the playoffs begin.
“We have a first round bye, which is really great, it gives us 10 days before the next game,” McNeely said. “Plenty of time to heal, work on some things and hopefully get a little more accuracy on the net.”
Emilie Vogel talked about what she saw in today’s game and what her team is looking to do heading into the playoffs.
“They wanted the win but we really wanted to go into the playoffs with a win,” Vogel said. “We have a winning season which is really nice compared to our last season. Our girls fought really hard for this game and everyone came together towards the end so we could win the game.”
Up next, Elyria Catholic will host the winner of Lake Ridge and Columbia on Oct. 17 in the Division III sectional tournament. Beaumont will take on Nordonia on the road on Oct. 12 in their regular season finale.
“We have a first round bye, which is really great, it gives us 10 days before the next game. Plenty of time to heal, work on some things and hopefully get a little more accuracy on the net.” — Elyria Catholic coach Dana McNeely