Marist Girls Fall to Starr's Mill, 2-0

Despite playing without senior captain Belen Diego, girls’ soccer team entered their state quarterfinal match with high hopes on Friday night. But an early goal gave Starr’s Mill the momentum and they never let up, cruising to a 2-0 victory and advancing to face McIntosh in the Class AAAA semifinals.

“We did not play our best, but you have to give credit to Starr’s Mill. They played very well,” said Marist head coach Sergio Stadler.

Panthers’ midfielder and senior captain Stuart Pope scored the first goal at the 29:12 mark on a beautiful give-and-go with teammate Molly Moroney. Pope received the ball 20 yards in front of the goal and turned to face Marist’s defensive line. She found Moroney to her right, set up just inside the box, and fed her the ball. Flanked by War Eagle defenders, Moroney returned a pass to Pope as she cut toward the goal. Marist’s senior goalkeeper Katelyn Ducote made a diving attempt, but could not prevent Pope’s left-footed shot from reaching the back of the net.

After the goal, the wind seemed to come out of Marist’s sails, and Starr’s Mill controlled the ball for most of the game. Led by Pope, Moroney and senior forward Caitlyn Daniels, the Panthers created several scoring chances in the opening 40 minutes, but Marist’s defense held the score to 1-0 at halftime.

With Ducote in goal and fellow senior Casey Arnold anchoring the defense, Marist managed to keep the game close in the first half, but Starr’s Mill found the net again less than five minutes into the second.

 Daniels spotted Moroney streaking down the middle of the field and placed a perfect pass in the seam, allowing Moroney to strike the ball past a charging Ducote, making the score 2-0.

Marist had a handful of chances, including Claire Sullivan’s one-on-one with Panthers’ goalkeeper Annie Stephens early in the contest, Charlotte Kelly’s long-range attempt in the closing seconds of the first half, and Mary Beth Bleekrode’s second-half shot from 10 yards out. Bleekrode was held in check for much of the game, but her excellent effort on that scoring attempt amounted to Marist’s best chance.

“Part of our game plan was to mark No. 12 [Bleekrode],” said Panthers’ coach Kayla Seabolt. Starr's Mill succeeded in that task and in limiting Marist’s offensive attack generally. “Our whole back line has been solid all year,” said Seabolt.

Pope, who has signed with the University of Kentucky, controlled the midfield for the Panthers, and Marist clearly missed its senior captain Belen Diego, who was out with a knee injury sustained on April 12 during a game against Blessed Trinity.

Moroney, who is just a freshman, led Starr’s Mill (14-6-1) with one assist and one goal. The Panthers advance to face Region 3B-AAAA rival McIntosh, a 3-1 winner over South Forsyth.

Marist finishes the year with a record of 18-3. They were undefeated in region play, and will return nine starters next year, including rising seniors Bleekrode, Sullivan, Erin Tapp, Liliana Rios and star midfielder Abby Toner.