FLOWERY BRANCH — Most coaches are usually reluctant to utter the phrase “best performance of the season” in fear of setting their team up for a future letdown
But Flowery Branch girls soccer coach Anel Lilic used those exact words when describing his squad’s dominating 5-0 win over Class 4A fifth-ranked Blessed Trinity Tuesday at Falcons Field.
“Overall, that probably was our best performance of the season based on the competition and how well we executed our gameplan,” Lilic said. “Just very pleased with how the girls came out ready to play.”
The win, their 11th straight, also clinched the Region 7-4A crown for the Lady Falcons, who have now beaten two of the top five teams in Class 4A (Marist and Blessed Trinity) and tied with No. 2 St. Pius early in the season. However, the final margin is sure to draw some attention around the classification.
“The score may shock some people,” LilIc said. “Blessed Trinity is one of those traditional powers so we don’t see them lose a game in a margin like that very often. It was a product of our girls sticking to what we wanted to do.”
Third-ranked Flowery Branch (14-2-1, 6-0 Region 7-4A) scored early with two goals in the first six minutes, three in the opening 11 minutes, and capped it with two goals in the final four minutes. In between, they clamped down on the Lady Titans (11-3-1, 4-2 Region 7-4A) allowing just six official shots on goal and just three legitimate scoring chances.
The Lady Titans pushed early for a quick strike attacking with nine, but senior keeper Hannah Pimentel and the Flowery Branch defense was able to hold them off during a one minute barrage to open the match.
Then the Lady Falcons countered with gusto.
Off a throw-in from freshman Larsyn Reid deep in Lady Titans territory, senior Caroline Wysocki beat a pair of Blessed Trinity defenders for a low blast past Lady Titans' keeper Lauren Posa for a 1-0 lead just three minutes in. Three minutes later, junior McKenzie Kent lofted a beautiful pass over the Blessed Trinity defense that Wysocki controlled and then buried a shot into the top shelf for a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Falcons continued the attack with Maggie Wadsworth gathering a loose ball and sliding a shot past Posa at the 28:10 mark for a 3-0 advantage.
It went to the half that way and didn't change until late when Wadsworth netted two goals off Lady Titans defensive miscues in the final four minutes for the hat trick.
“Defensively we were very dominant I thought,” Lilic said. “They put some pressure on us at times but (defenders) Larsyn, Madi (Shewbert), Callie (Huff), and Taylor (Oniskyw) were outstanding. And Hannah was great as usual in goal. A great effort by that whole group.”
In the first half, the Lady Titans best offensive options would be a pair of high-lofted passes over the Branch defense that Pimentel easily handled. Wadsworth had a chance to increase the lead in the 23rd minute but her shot hit the right upright and was cleared by the Lady Titans.
Blessed Trinity opened the second half pushing the attack getting two point-blank range shots on Pimentel, who blocked one and punched out another with the Lady Titans also hitting the post in between, in a 30-second barrage in the 45th minute.
The Lady Falcons defense also thwarted several potential Blessed Trinity opportunities. Reid drew a foul on a nice defensive play beating an attacker to the ball near the box. The Lady Titans had a golden chance in the 50th minute but Pimentel cut the angle after a long pass and forced a quick shot that Oniskyw then stopped from reaching the net.
After advancing to the Class 5A semifinals in 2018, Lilic feels his group is just now hitting its stride as they ready for the upcoming playoffs, this time in Class 4A.
“It feels great to win the region title but the main thing is to be playing your best at this time and I think we’re beginning to peak,” he said. “We’ve played a tough schedule and beaten some good teams. I think we’re in contention to be able to make a run (at the state title).”
The Lady Falcons will get one final regular season tune-up traveling to Class 7A Walton in Marietta on Friday.
NOTES: Flowery Branch now has 9 shutouts on the season and has allowed just 3 total goals during their now 11-game win streak ... The Lady Falcons have scored 60 goals during the win streak (5.4 gpg) and are now 7-0-1 vs. Class 4A opponents in 2019 (2-2 tie with St. Pius) and improved to 6-1 at home ... The 5 goals was a season-high against the Lady Titans, who have pitched 10 shutouts on the season and had allowed more than 1 goal just twice on the season ... After scoring 55 goals over their first 10 games (5.5 gpg) BT has scored just 7 goals in its last five games (1.40 gpg)
