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Brentsville girls take down Eagles, 2-1 in soccer opener
Call them masochists, but the Liberty Eagles wanted the Brentsville girls soccer team on their schedule this season even after being beaten three times by the defending Northwestern District champion Tigers in 2007.
Liberty wasn't forced to face them this season, having moved to the Cedar Run District. But with two non-district openings on the schedule it made sense to fill both with Brentsville — a Group AA state qualifier last season.
The first meeting was Wednesday and Brentsville took it, 2-1, in the season opener.
That beating wasn't too painful, though — last year Brentsville won 1-0, 3-1 and 5-1 (OT) — and could prove beneficial in preparing the Eagles for their first season in the Group AAA Cedar Run.
"This is a good game to show us what we need to work on — to show us our strengths and weaknesses — and to get us ready to step up to the next level," LHS star senior Kaity Ruhland said afterward.
"It was fun," she said. "When we were in the same [Northwestern] district it was always a big rivalry, so it's always nice to come out and have one of those heated games...and play good competition and be challenged."
Ruhland tied Wednesday's match at 1-1 at the 15:35 mark after Brentsville freshman forward Kelsey Reighard had scored on an assist from Ashley Grant to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage four minutes in.
Ruhland controlled a ball from Christy Ritchie wide on the left side of the field and split two Tiger defenders with her shot, which hit the net near post just below the crossbar.
"I'm feeling good after tonight. It's nice to score again," Ruhland said. "We played really well together. Tonight we really did a good job of connecting."
That goal was Ruhland's first since breaking her right leg late last season. She scored it playing with a wrapped ankle that needs continued rehabilitation.
"It's good to see [Ruhland] back because she's a core part of her team," Brentsville's first-year coach Sean Weddel said. "They're always aggressive...and that's one thing we look up to with them. We know that when we have to play Liberty, we have to bring out our A game."
The Tigers' effort was close enough to their best to accumulate 18 shots on goal compared to nine for Liberty. Sophomore midfielder Emma Bright kicked the winning goal one minute after Ruhland's first-half score.
Brentsville used chip passes to consistently loft the ball over the Eagles' defense, but LHS goalkeeper Megan Resseman was often able to run it down before the Tiger forwards could.
"We play a very aggressive style of ball," LHS coach Bob Ruhland said. "Our formation dares the opponent to kick it over the top, and they're going to get some touches, but it's all how you react to it and recover."
Liberty often reacted well, but Brentsville simply missed on a few solid scoring opportunities, too.
The Tigers have a strong core of players back from last season's team that finished 20-3 with a loss in the state quarterfinals. District Coach of the Year Julie O'Neill left after last season and was replaced by Weddel.
"The girls are doing a great job," Weddel said. "The old coach left us with a wonderful program, but it's all about the girls. They want to get back to where they were last year."
The teams will face off for a rematch at LHS on April 30.
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