Game Recap: Buford HS vs Mill Creek HS

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season in full swing, most teams are halfway through their season and standings have started to cement themselves through the different divisions and regions. With that comes big matchups between teams at the top of the standings fighting to keep their positions. A tightly contested game that saw Mill Creek edging out Buford in OT with both teams showing their strengths and putting on a show. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The player of the game award went to Mill Creeks <strong>Karina Pashkovets (2023</strong>) who was able to get a goal and be a lockdown in defense to keep Buford out as much as possible. Karina has been a staple in the Mill Creek defense for over 3 years and was never quite able to squeeze into rankings. Her quality in protection was shown all game as she routinely kept out Buford but also created chances for Mill Creek and got a goal herself. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Becca Graser</strong> <strong>(2025)</strong> for Mill Creek had a strong game as well she was able to help on the left side of the defense. Her technical ability on the ball and ability to play out the back is up there with the best. Connecting with the back line as well, as she builds on her strong start to her 2nd season playing in defense or higher up on the left side of attack, her versatility makes her a unique weapon. Her strong performances will be a big help for Mill Creek and picks up where her sister Abby will be leaving off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abby Graser (2023) </strong>Older sister to Becca Abby, wraps up her final seasons as moves on to UAB. A household defender in the PrepSoccer rankings, Abby has been a staple in the defense along with Karina over the past few years picking up championships and playoff runs. Her calm presence in the back and experience have allowed Mill Creek to be offensively riskier knowing they are covered in any sort of counterattack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> #11 [player_tooltip player_id='21788' first='Kennadie' last='Marchand']</strong> <strong>(2024)</strong> First up on our rankings is GK Kennadie from Buford who despite conceding three goals still had a strong game by keeping out and distributing the ball well and making crucial saves to keep the game close. She will be key in Buford's success through the season and watch her move up the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 [player_tooltip player_id='21491' first='Neely' last='Kerr'] (2025)</strong> Another high prospect and top-ranked player from Buford Neely was able to put in a solid shift in the midfield against Mill Creek despite the loss. She constantly got on the ball and did her best to set up teammates and get the ball forward for Buford and connect on the two goals that were scored. She will still be looking to help propel Buford through the latter stage of the season, with more impressive performances in the midfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->