State Tournament Round 1 CJG3 #9 Red Bank Regional at #8 Jackson Liberty

 Jackson Liberty waited almost a full year to get back to this point, losing last season to RBR in the first round of the CJG3 playoff game. Played at the same field it was played at a year ago, the Lions got the result they wanted this season, defeating the Bucs 2-0 to move on to face #1 seed Steinart tomorrow. 

Jackson Liberty gave a complete team effort to advance, solid defense, great passing in the midfield, forwards attacking and great goalkeeping like we have come to expect from senior Camryn Wiese.

"It definitely feels good and it was a good game to play going into Saturday,” Liberty coach Dana Young said. “At times we did not battle the way we should have and hats off to them (RBR) they played their hardest the entire game, but we found a way to score and our goalie and defense stepped up.”

The Lions had a couple good chances early in the game that started with great passing by seniors Alyssa Galayda and Seanna Boan, but Red Bank Regional freshman goalkeeper Harper Brechman was up to the task. Brechman showed her toughness when she came out on a ball and had a bad collison with sophomore Delaney Spalthoff. After being down for a couple minutes, Brechman was able to get up and continued to play.  

Boan and Galayda were great all game applying pressure and trying to put the ball in the right spots for their teammates. Galayda, who is usually playing forward, gave the Bucs midfield some trouble with her speed.

“I feel she (Boan) had something to prove after coming back from injuries,” Coach Young said, “I am so proud of her maturity and the way she has battled through adversity and she is someone who can not be replaced and Alyssa was asked to dropped back a little bit because her passing and field vision has been unbelievable this season.”

Liberty was able to score their first goal 37 minutes into the first half when Galayda made a perfect touch pass to Spalthoff who was able to beat Brechman when she came out to make a play on the ball. 

“I stepped in front and got the ball and put a little touch pass by the defender and played it right across to Delaney instead of Chelsea who they were all looking towards,” Galayda said about her assist. “This feels really good after our loss last year in overtime.”

The second half both teams had their share of chances to put the ball in the net, but hard defense and great goalkeeping kept the score 1-0. Jackson Liberty was finally able to give themselves some breathing room when junior Chelsea Lavezzo scored on a free kick from about 20 yards away.  The Lions defense was able to hold off the RBR attack, especially senior Ellie Lynch, who once again was going 110% the full game trying to get the Bucs on the board, but Wiese preserved the shutout.

“It is great having her back there,” Coach Young said about Wiese. “Even when there are breakaways and little things might happen I am confident knowing she is there. If there is a rebound she is quick to get up to get the rebound. She is all over the place for us.”


Players of the Game - Camryn Wiese - Not only did she make some great saves all game, she was giving her defense instructions all game to help earn her a shutout.

Alyssa Galayda - Changed positions to help the team and had the game winning assist and set up several other great chances for Jackson Liberty

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