By Pat Dailey (For O-Zone)
BOLIVAR — Given everything they had heard and read about Union’s defense before Saturday’s Class 3 Quarterfinal match, Bolivar coach Steve Fast and defender Sarah Peterson took consolation in the handful of shots on goal the Lady Liberators had Saturday.
Union proved well deserving of the hype surrounding its defense by turning away Bolivar on each shot, as the Lady Liberators lost 4-0 and fell one win short of State for the third straight year.
The shutout was Union’s 17th on the season.
“We weren’t expecting to get the ball even past our half of the field,” Peterson said. “A lot of teams who had played them before said they didn’t have any scoring opportunities against them. So, for us to have that many is cool for our team.”
“We had some chances, which I was impressed with,” Fast said. “One of the coaches I contacted about them said good luck even getting to the goalkeeper. We got the ball deep in the box a few times in the first half and in the second half. But we couldn’t find the back of the net.
“It just wasn’t meant to be for the Liberators. We’ve been here three years in a row. We want to get beyond this one. That’s our ultimate goal. For now, we’re kind of stuck here.”
Bolivar’s best scoring chance came from 25 yards out on a strong kick by Peterson in the second half. Hitting from the right side of the field, she tried to go to the right of Union ‘keeper Alexis Garlock. Peterson’s kick was well-placed and had plenty of power, but Garlock dove to catch the ball.
“Props to the ‘keeper,” Peterson said. “Usually, if I get it to the corner, they’re in.”
Union coach Matt Fennessey credited the Lady Liberators for the challenges they offered.
“(Garlock) was called upon a couple of times against Bolivar’s offensive line and offensive attack,” Fennessey said. “We knew their girls in the back (Peterson and Michelle Gabani) were going to pump balls in all day and play the ball over the top. We had to be able to match their speed. Their ‘wingers did a good job of getting forward and making plays dangerous in the corner. But we have defenders who can match that speed.”
Union forward Emily Gache showed off her skills, as well. A rare combination of size, strength and speed as a freshman, Gache had two scores to up her goals count for the season to an amazing 61.
“She’s a big, strong girl,” Fast said. “She just kind of bullies her way in. She pushes you off, makes a cut and has a rocket of a shot that she fires by you.”
“I tried real hard to stay with (Gache),” Gabani added. “She’s a very good player with a bright future.”
Union also received goals from Hailey Cloud and Hannah Olive.
Cloud converted on a penalty kick less than 10 minutes into the match. Gabani was called for a hand-ball in the Union, box, leading to Cloud’s penalty kick.
“It was kind of unfortunate the way it happened, with the ball bouncing off of (Gabani’s) hands in the box,” Fennessey said. “But the referee had to make the call.”
“I was upset,” Gabani said. “I just happened to be in the box. I was trying to head it, but my hand was right there. It was a bad hit.
“I was thinking, ‘Okay, I’ve got to make up for that somehow and can’t let there be any more shots.’”
Union, playing on grass for just the second time this season, was up 3-0 at halftime.
Bolivar entered the match with five straight shutouts and had given up only nine goals all season.
“They’ve got a lot of weapons at every position,” Fast said. “There is no weakness. We tried to contain and play our style. But you stop one girl and there are five more ready to attack. I was very impressed.”
“Union was very well put together and composed,” Peterson said, “They worked well as a team. They read each other well. We knew we would have to pull out a match like we’d never had before to even be close to them.”
Bolivar (19-2) reeled off 14 straights wins this season on its way to a . 905 winning percentage that ranks among the best in school history.
“I hope we left a good mark for the girls coming up,” Gabani said. “They have something to live up to and look forward to. And whenever they think of our team, I hope they think of our leadership and our seniors.”
