HdG girls needed warrior-like effort to earn first win in soccer since 2007

The drought is over for the girls soccer team at Havre de Grace, which had not won a game since the 2007 season.

In front of a sparse Harris Stadium crowd Wednesday night, the Warriors put that ugly winless streak to rest with a 1-0 win over a winless in 2011 Elkton team.

Having a daughter, senior Kelsey McRoberts, playing during this tough time, there's been a few games that I did not see. Wednesday, however, wasn't one of them, and I'm glad of it.

It was a couple of weeks ago that I had a brief conversation with Bob Slagle, commissioner for the UCBAC. It was noted at that time that Havre de Grace's best chance for a regular season win was its impending match with Elkton. Both were winless and respective scores against common opponents were eerily similar.

So, from talking with my daughter and others, Bo Manor was another game that some had their sites on as a possible win. That game, one that I missed, was a 2-0 loss. I was told the Warriors did not play to their potential.

There are days like that, but when you haven't won a game in three-plus seasons, there's no time for a letdown, especially when you're playing a beatable opponent.

So, Wednesday night came and players and fans on both sides knew what was at stake. A win.

It was a back-and-forth battle for much of the first half and some of the second, but the final 20 minutes  was a Warriors domination.

Havre de Grace threatened the Elkton goal repeatedly during this 20-minute period with every missed shot followed up by sighs in the stands.

Sarah Kozak's ground ball shot scooted wide right by two feet or so and Kelsey's high shot careened off the crossbar minutes later. There was a flurry of other shots from Kara Nieberlein, Helen Boniface and a few others, but none found the net.

Then, the Warriors were awarded a corner kick from the near sideline. Freshman Addie Richardson was called on to take the kick. Senior Emily Schall had been taking them and with success, but a bothersome injury gave Richardson a shot.

Richardson sent a high shot right in front of the goal. The Elkton goalie got a hand on it, but the deflection came off another Warrior freshman, Rachel Rossi, and into the goal.

A mild celebration erupted on the field and claps and cheers came from the stands.

The Warriors have just four seniors; Schall, McRoberts, Ceili Herring and Kaitlyn Husfelt. It's been a long road. None were part of the varsity team as freshman, while Schall and McRoberts are three-year starters and two of three captains on this year's team. Junior Maddie Larrimore is the other captain.

It was great to see the Warriors get a win, especially for the seniors. To go a full high school career without a win would have been dreadful.

There's a few games left on the schedule, so maybe this isn't the only win for 2011. We'll see.

If it is, so be it. Congratulations to all the Warriors and coach Randy Cypher, who took over the program this year.