Liberty girls soccer team scores a shutout victory

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Liberty girls soccer team won their second-round CIF matchup against Rancho Verde at home Saturday evening in a 2-0 shutout.

Freshman Makenzy Marvick had the first goal for the Bison in the first half from a follow-up on a blocked shot. The second goal came in the last two minutes off a corner kick taken by Jordan Hill that was put in the back of the net by Karah Thompson, who happened to be celebrating her 18th birthday as well as her team’s advancement into round three.

“We knew that if we gave up a goal last minute we would have to play sudden death. My coach could tell I was hungry to score so she placed me high on their back line,” Thompson said of the last minutes of the game. “As [my shot] went in, the stress of the game finally relaxed. It felt so good to finally get that goal after my team was working hard to make opportunities for me to get that birthday goal.

“I'm especially grateful for our keeper Shyler who plays an essential part of our team, shutting down shots from our opponents,” Thompson said of the goalkeeper’s performance. “Her 13 shutouts are what makes us a successful team. She leads and can really control the flow of our game and she does it so well! We are always impressed with her talent. “

Head coach Emma Bennett said her team came ready to win and it showed for all 80 minutes.

“Overall the team connected so well tonight, they stayed locked in and played until the final whistle,” Bennett said. “The defense and Shyler had another shutout and that was a full team effort. We definitely dominated this game and had a lot more looks than they did. Shyler had to make a couple of saves but overall we were on their half most of the game. The girls came out ready to win tonight and it showed.”

Shyler Johnson had her 13th shutout of the season in the victory against the Mustangs.

The Bison will face the Colton Yellowjackets in the next round of playoffs on Wednesday at 5 p.m.