Julia Dearden hashed five goals to marshal the Falcons past visiting Winslow 17-7 in the teams’ quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday. Freeport then moved on to face top-seeded Morse in Saturday’s semifinal.

The Shipbuilders thoroughly tested the Falcons’ mettle, but Freeport proved equal to the challenge in the end. Lily Johnston’s four-goal performance led the team in rallying from a massive first-half deficit to an eventual 17-16 victory.

Next up for the Falcons: a rematch of last year’s B East Final versus Yarmouth, scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, at 6:15 p.m.

No. 4 Freeport vs. No. 5 Winslow recap

Freeport came out hot against the Black Raiders on Wednesday, scoring four quick points to seize firm control of the action. The Falcons never looked back.

Courtney Broderick added three goals and two assists to Freeport’s tally, and Emily Johnson added three goals and one assist. Taylor Rinaldi had two goals, and Jasmine Olins, Chloe Davidson and Brooklyn Washburn had one goal apiece.

Advertisement

“I think we played well,” said Freeport head coach Marcia Wood. “We’re trying to pick our game up to the next level, so we’ve been working hard. What I liked was that nine of our goals were assisted. At this point in the season, we need to be a well-balanced team and work as a unit.”

Freeport head coach Marcia Wood highlighted Johnson’s contributions in claiming and reclaiming possession of the ball. “Emily was pretty dominant in the midfield, picking up 10 ground balls and snagging eight draw controls,” Wood said.

The win bumped the Falcons to 7-6 on the year, while dropping the Black Raiders to 7-6 and eliminating them from the postseason.

No. 4 Freeport vs. No. 1 Morse

On Saturday, it was the Falcons’ opponent who started off strong. Morse notched the game’s first three goals, and they did it quick. Finally, just over four minutes in, Freeport got on the board, Johnston grabbing her first.

Still, the Shipbuilders built on their advantage, expanding it to 11-3 by midway through the half. That, however, is when the Falcons’ survival instincts kicked in. They mounted a beautiful comeback, scoring six unanswered points. Broderick and Davidson each added two, and Johnston and Rinaldi one.

Advertisement

At the break, then, they trailed by just four: 13-9.

“Lily was amazing today,” said Wood, “with four goals, a caused turnover and three ground balls. She really held our offense together and kept the possession with us.”

The second half was more balanced, but the Falcons held the edge. Olins tied the game at 15-all with 8:50 to play, Johnston gave Freeport the lead at 7:40 and Rinaldi earned their last of the day at 6:46. Morse snatched one back with 4:20 to play, but the Falcons managed to play keepaway after that, and ultimately captured the victory.

Broderick piled three goals on the Falcons’ total, as well as four assists. Lizzy Martin had three goals, one assist and nine critical draw controls, including the last of the game – the one that gave Freeport the final possession.

Davidson had three goals, and Rinaldi two; Olins and Johnson contributed one apiece, while Dearden assisted twice.

Wood also praised Johnson. “She had a huge game, after being put on defense to take care of Morse standout Sophie Sreden. She controlled the defense and made some smart, important plays.”

Advertisement

That win advanced the team to 8-6 on the year, while sending Morse back to the locker room till 2016 at 8-5.

“I’m so proud of the hard work and fight of my team,” said Wood. “Being down by eight, many teams would give up, but we fought, and I couldn’t be any prouder of that.”

Last year’s Falcons, coached by Karin Kurry, butted heads with Yarmouth in the B East Final, but fell. Kurry is still with the team in an assistant capacity, providing an element of continuity this year’s lineup surely benefits from.

Wood’s own acumen – she formerly helmed a superb Scarborough squad – has clearly whipped into shape a group of girls who looked, at the start of the season, distinctly unlike the 2014 conference runners-up.

Freeport has come a long way in the past eight weeks – and perhaps they’ll go a little farther still.

Freeporter Emily Johnson wedges between two Winslow defenders in the Falcons’ quarterfinals win on Wednesday.Freeport’s Lily Johnston cuts forward on the attack in the team’s victory over Winslow.Julia Dearden tallied five against the visiting Black Raiders of Winslow on Wednesday.Courtney Broderick unwinds into a shot against Winslow on Wednesday.Lizzy Martin carries on the attack for Freeport against Winslow.Chloe Davidson follows through on a shot against visiting Winslow on Wednesday.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.