Spartans in state semis with 1-0 win
November 18, 2008
By Christopher Huber
The Skyline High School girls soccer team advanced to the state semifinal round after defeating Bellarmine
ichelle Bretl (22), Skyline sophomore forward, gets an airborne hug from Jill Stika, junior goalkeeper, after time expires on the Spartans 1-0 win over Bellarmine Prep. Photo by Greg Farrar.
Prep 1-0 Nov. 15 at Skyline Stadium.
The Spartans’ goal came off the right foot of junior midfielder Shea O’Donnell in the 32nd minute of the game and proved to be the shot that ended Bellarmine Prep’s season.
Skyline put its diligent practice to work when sophomore forward Michelle Bretl fed O’Donnell the ball from 35 yards out. With her back to the goal and about 18 yards out, O’Donnell took a quick first touch, spun around one defender and crossed it back to the far left corner of the goal, just past Bellarmine goalkeeper Ciarra Pederson.
The team had been working on midfielders targeting the forwards in practice, said Skyline head coach Don Braman.
“It was a great combo,” he said. “The girls did a great job to link passes together.”For O’Donnell, who had been fighting for playing time all season after recovering from a burst appendix, it was her second goal of the season.
“It’s great to see her feeling better and contributing at such an important time of year,” Braman said. “She’s come a long way.”
Skyline had seven shots on goal in the first half and held Bellarmine Prep to just five total. The second half was more balanced, but Bellarmine Prep only threatened once, when Skyline goalkeeper Jill Stika blocked a shot and defender Kayla Shim helped deter oncoming Bellarmine Prep players.
Stika had two saves in the shutout.
Skyline improved to 13-2-2 overall and will play Mead High School at 8 p.m. Nov. 21 at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood.
Reach Reporter Christopher Huber at 392-6434, ext. 242, or at chuber@isspress.com.
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