Girls RVA HS GOTW – Freeman vs Midlothian (Video Highlights)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deep Run had already taken care of business against Glen Allen and punched their ticket to the state tournament. It was time for Freeman and Midlothian to face off in the nightcap of the Region 5C semifinals on Tuesday, 5/30. Winner would play Deep Run on Friday and clinch their own spot in the state quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":139136,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/05/7135CA30-7601-4118-83B8-FDD27854CAF7-crop-959x630-1685558111.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-139136" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Deep Run Women's Soccer celebrating their semifinal victory, before the Freeman v. Midlothian game</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kickoff was just after 7 pm on a brisk, windy night. The Mavericks wearing all white, Midlothian in navy blue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/QUG3F2x9Cjw","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/QUG3F2x9Cjw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early in the game, the Trojans started to get a rhythm, with a familiar sight. Madelyn Radtke played a ball over the top to Megan Dwyer, who played a great cross, but no Midlo player on the other end to finish it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 13th minute, PrepSoccer P2W from the Region 5C playoff preview, Walker Bristow, pulled off a cheeky nutmeg. It was an announcement that she was ready to go, and a sign that she would have something to do with the outcome of this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/4OGhYClBxWc","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/4OGhYClBxWc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One minute later, Bristow put the ball in the back of the net on a cross from Genevieve Travers, for what everyone thought was the first goal of the game. The Freeman bench cheered, only for the referee to signal that his assistant had raised his flag for an offside call. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/9ZXQjjhGo5M","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/9ZXQjjhGo5M </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first half went back and forth with more half-chances for both teams, like this strike from distance, by Cornell commit, [player_tooltip player_id='27641' first='Ava' last='Jung']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/CYeK_l1rFTg","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/CYeK_l1rFTg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The half ended 0-0. It felt like Freeman was a bit closer to getting the first goal of the game, but also felt as if we were headed for extra time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mavericks came flying out of halftime, determined to take the lead. Anna Bitsko had a wonderful chance hit the post and go out of bounds for a goal kick. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/GlDnelwwzRk","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/GlDnelwwzRk </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five minutes later, Bristow found the back of the net. No offside this time. Her shot glances off the post and in. She had been a handful for the Trojan back line all night long, and deserved the goal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/YeDmRXXiqEY","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/YeDmRXXiqEY </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six minutes later, Walker Bristow found another opening. Did she deserve two goals at this point? Maybe. Never mind - the crossbar said no. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/H1g6epmzwuY","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/H1g6epmzwuY </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With just over thirty minutes to tie the game up, Midlothian turned up the pressure. The Trojans saw more attacking opportunities in the last third of the game. In the 60th minute, Layla Royster broke through with a chance to beat the keeper, but her shot flew over the bar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/DbNve8GCMoY","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/DbNve8GCMoY </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few minutes later, Royster had a left footed shot from a difficult angle. Freeman goalkeeper, Olivia Putsilnik, made the save.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/SqgJCTgFzwU","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/SqgJCTgFzwU </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Midlo continued the pressure all the way until the final whistle. They earned four corners in the final ten minutes of play, but were unable to beat Putsilnik on the night. </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freeman had completed the clean sheet, moved on to the regional final against Deep Run, and qualified for the state tournament. Final score, 1-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/Rp6hlMr71_s","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/Rp6hlMr71_s </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepSoccer Player of the Game (POTG) undoubtedly goes to Freeman #13 Walker Bristow. The most dangerous player on the field Wednesday night, and even tracked back to cut out some Midlo attacks in the final thirty minutes. I do not have shirts to hand out like PS's Drew does at the beach, yet... Maybe next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":139139,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/05/5FC6EDED-4392-4FF5-AB0B-E0AB0A8F5DB3-crop-764x502-1685559626.jpg?w=763" alt="" class="wp-image-139139" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Walker Bristow</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stage is set for what should be a fun matchup Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->