by Chip Carter
Mills Godwin Correspondent
Facing a win or pack-up-the-equipment situation, Mills Godwin’s “drama queens” made a season-saving return engagement Tuesday night as the Eagles defeated Douglas Freeman on penalty kicks in the semifinals of the Colonial District tournament.
Dubbed ‘drama queens” last year for their penchant for late-game heroics on the way to the state finals, Godwin needed a stoppage time header by senior Marie Krider off sophomore Alayna Vaughan‘s free kick to tie the Rebels and force overtime.
“Alayna got it in a good spot for me,” Krider said. “The ref said there was about 15 seconds left.”
To that point, Freeman’s midfield, led by senior Annie Hazelgrove, had held fast and the defense had blanketed Godwin’s forwards and outside midfielders, allowing few effective shots and not allowing Godwin’s first corner kick until deep into the second half.
On those Godwin shots that were more dangerous, sophomore keeper Alex Claggett was equal to the task, saving at least two shots that looked like sure goals.
Claggett finished with seven saves in regulation and overtime.
A week and a half ago, Godwin dominated possession in route to a 2-0 win over the Rebels. But this night, improved midfield play and dangerous counterattacks featuring freshman striker Liz Ahrens gave the Rebels consistent scoring opportunities.
The speedy and skilled Ahrens cashed in on a long ball from her back line as she gathered it on the right side of the 18, bumped the defender, and deposited a shot over Godwin sophomore keeper Jessie Ashworth for a 1-0 Rebel lead at the 32:00 mark.
Asked what the difference was in the two recent games, Godwin assistant coach Miranda Watson answered, “Freeman was simply great. They played better, fought harder, possessed it better [than in the first game]. They made it very difficult for us.”
Watson changed her formation with about 15 minutes to go, removing a defender and adding a midfielder. The Eagles began to make more offensive headway but could not hit the net until Vaughan and Krider’s clutch connection.
Four five-minute overtime and sudden death periods produced gasp inducing shots and saves on both ends. Godwin had the better of the possession, but Freeman had two potentially game-ending chances with balls near the net that were turned away.
After 100 minutes of play, the spent teams headed to penalty kicks for a decision.
The PK session was tied 3-3 after four shots from each team when Godwin’s Ashworth came up with her second save.
“PK’s are my favorite thing ever,” said Ashworth.
Godwin junior midfielder Lauren Abraham then had the game on her foot and deposited the game-winning kick.
“As I was walking up, our seniors’ faces flashed in my mind and I had no doubt. I wanted it for them and knew I was going to make it,” said Abraham.
Freeman finished the season 10-5-1.
“This was hard to lose,” Freeman coach Kent Dohrman said, “but I’m so proud of my team.”
Rebel captain Hazelgrove echoed her coach’s sentiments.
“It was an evenly played game. Both teams showed great leadership and great heart. It just came down to a shot.”
Godwin advances to Thursday’s championship game against No. 1 seed Deep Run at 5:30 at Hermitage.
Deep Run advanced with a 4-3 win over Patrick Henry Tuesday. Regardless of the outcome, both teams will advance to the Central Region tournament.
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