It was a storybook ending for nine athletes representing the Chardon Hilltoppers senior class on Sept. 23.
Game photos click here.
It was a storybook ending for nine athletes representing the Chardon Hilltoppers senior class on Sept. 23.
The starting lineup card featured all seniors who enjoyed festivities prior to the game, and the outcome was a 2-1 win.
“This has been a great group of seniors,” Chardon Head Coach Chad Johnston said. “Some have played a lot of varsity time over the last four years, and while others have not, they have all been excellent teammates and people that our younger players can look up to.”
Junior Madelyn Flick got her young and inexperienced Rangers on the board first.
She recorded her 11th goal on the season with 28:50 remaining in the first half.
“Getting an early goal helped to set the tone for the game, and having our girls see that we can not only attack, but we can capitalize off our attacking, gave players belief and confidence right away,” Eastlake North Head Coach Samantha Richter said. “This game was anchored from top down by Flick, Mallory Kramer, Savannah Corraro, Sophia Petro, Annie Barner, and Emma Sapina. They kept talking, organizing, and covered a ton of ground. That type of hustle and work rate helped drive the tone.”
It had been a scoring drought for the Hilltoppers entering this contest. Chardon had been
shut out in three straight games: a 5-0 loss against Mentor, a 2-0 loss to the Western Reserve
Conference opponent Willoughby South Rebels, and most recently a 2-0 loss to the Hoover
Vikings.
That all changed when freshman Lydia Yeary recorded her third goal of the season.
“For my first goal, it was off of a penalty,” Yeary said, “and we were able to get a ball through the top
of the field, and I was able to run on it when it was kicked, and I was able to score.”
The freshman tied the contest up at one apiece with 5:19 remaining in the first half.
“During the first half, we just kept focusing on staying positive while we were down, since
we had been on a losing streak,” Coach Johnston said. “Once we tied up the game, you could see our confidence grow.
“After coming off of a ‘season low,’ you can call it — we came off of a few too many
losses — but we were really bringing the momentum, so our game plan was more mental rather
than physical,” senior goalkeeper Haidyn Bunker said.
Both teams entered the game searching for their first conference win and to build some momentum with their young squads. The Rangers had lost to the Rebels and also to the Mayfield Wildcats, while the Hilltoppers had also fallen to the Rebels as well as Kenston.
Despite the Hilltoppers having nine seniors on their roster, several freshmen are playing key
spots on offense.
For the Rangers, it’s a lineup made up of six seniors and four juniors. The loss of four-year starter Michealla Pingstock due to a season-ending knee injury hurt the Rangers tremendously in the area of experience.
“So many of our girls who are playing big-time varsity minutes are either new to high school soccer, new to the game completely, or are just young,” Coach Richter said. “This team makes me so proud in the way that they go out and fight for each other and work to improve themselves. I really could not ask for more.
“We are also out one of our four-year starters due to an ACL injury, so every game we have seen new players step up and fill that gap.”
The Rangers put up a strong fight until the end, but it was the Hilltoppers’ night to shine.
Yeary picked up her second goal of the evening with 35:15 remaining in the contest when she
collided with Cammy Vo, the goalkeeper for Eastlake North.
“It was a pretty rough play, but I was getting off the ground and was able to kick the ball in,” Yeary said. Her teammate junior Jayne Fullerman picked up the assist.
“Getting that goal before halftime was great because that is the best chance to adjust mid-game, and we felt like we were controlling the game so did not have to change a whole lot — besides making sure to contain Flick,” Coach Johnston said. “Lydia always brings great effort no matter what position
she places or if she starts or comes off the bench.”
A stingy defense from the Hilltoppers would leave the Rangers scoreless in the second
half, where they were able to clinch the 2-1 win.
“This has been our second comeback win of the year and this team has shown to always
keep playing the whole game no matter what the score is. We have a whole week off before our
next game and practices always just have a better feel after a win. So, it is nice to sit on this one
for a while and keep a positive energy all week going into our next game! Overall as a team we
are pretty healthy and hoping to play our best soccer in October,” Coach Johnston said.
Defensively, the Hilltoppers were led by Bunker, who recorded seven saves on the evening.
“Since it was senior night, we came out with a ton of momentum,” Bunker said. “A ton of energy, especially throughout the seniors, as well as the entire team.
“Coming into it, as we looked at things stat-wise, this was a great game because it was a conference game, and it’s super important especially for that playoff seeding, as this is the time that those selections are made. Overall, just a great game in so many different categories.”
With the win, the Hilltoppers improved to 5-8 overall and 1-2 in the WRC, while the
Rangers dropped to 3-7-1 overall and 0-3 in the WRC.
“We will continue to build on the positives; scoring early, creating opportunities, and
finding a way to show resilience,” Coach Richter said. “My message to the girls is that we can compete with anyone. We are a team that plays for each other and believes in one another. With that mindset, not only are we going to be successful on the field, but we will be successful in all aspects of life even outside of soccer. If we keep bringing this level of energy, we will be in a great spot moving forward.”
