Sophomore’s clutch goal lifts Freedom past Riverview in tense Class A title game
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Friday, November 3, 2023 | 8:53 PM
The Freedom girls soccer team celebrates with the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating Riverview, 1-0, in the Class A final on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Freedom’s Mackenzie Mohrbacher (10) celebrates with Shaye Bailey after scoring against Riverview during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
The Freedom girls soccer team celebrates after defeating Riverview, 1-0, in the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Riverview’s Lola Abraham battles Freedom’s Madison Meyer for possession during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Riverview’s Katerina Tsambis battles Freedom’s Shaye Bailey for possession during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Freedom goalkeeper Trinity Vojtko makes a save against Riverview during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Riverview’s Katerina Tsambis battles Freedom’s Shaye Bailey for a header during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Riverview’s Juliette Brun controls the ball in front of Freedom’s Mackenzie Mohrbacher during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Riverview’s Georgia Tsambis battles Freedom’s Brianne Casto for possession during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Freedom’s Mackenzie Mohrbacher celebrates after scoring the lone goal against Riverview during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Freedom girls soccer players celebrate after defeating Riverview, 1-0, in the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
Freedom’s Mackenzie Mohrbacher (10), Shaye Bailey and Emma Falk celebrate after defeating Riverview in the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Highmark Stadium.
In the lone matchup of top two seeds in the WPIAL girls soccer championships this season, No. 1 Riverview and No. 2 Freedom were locked in a scoreless stalemate for more than 70 minutes Friday evening.
Sophomore Mackenzie Mohrbacher’s goal at the 71:40 mark lifted the Bulldogs to back-to-back Class A championships with a 1-0 victory at Highmark Stadium.
“We knew coming into this game it was going to be tougher than we’ve seen before,” said Freedom coach Colin Williams.
In last season’s title game, Mohrbacher, as a freshman, was on the sideline. This year, she got her moment to shine, giving Freedom the program’s fourth championship.
“Usually it’s Shaye (Bailey) and my thing,” Mohrbacher said. “Shaye crosses it in, and I’m normally there, and that’s how I score most of my goals. Shaye is amazing, and this is a moment I can’t even explain.”
Goalkeepers were the shining light for the majority of the contest, as both made fantastic saves.
Freedom put together 12 shots in the first half, while the Raiders had six. However, both goalies made the saves needed, as each had four stops in the opening 40 minutes.
In the second half, the Bulldogs again took 12 shots, placing seven on goal, while Riverview had eight shots, but only three on net.
It was a night of firsts for the Raiders despite being on the losing end, earning the program’s first championship game appearance.
“Riverview has never been in the situation, never played for a championship, never won section championship,” said coach Sean Abraham. “For the team, this is a plus. We have to keep our heads up. We aren’t done playing.”
The Raiders’ star of the night was senior Lola Abraham, who placed five of her nine shots on net. She was a threat Freedom had to prepare for.
“We decided to double-team Abraham, and that’s how we had to take care of her,” Williams said. “She got away from us, but that’s expected, but we did our job covering her. A lot of her shots were coming from 30-35 yards out.”
Both teams will continue their journeys into the state playoffs. Freedom will be the top seed from District 7 and will host the second-seeded team from District 10.
Riverview will enter the PIAA Class A tournament as the second seed from the WPIAL and will travel to face the champion from District 5.
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