Carroll shut out by BV Southwest in semifinals

At this point in the season, freshmen really aren’t freshmen. Blue Valley Southwest’s Mary Hartweger made an upperclassman play.

She caught a perfect entry pass from teammate Macy Ruffalo for the game’s only goal in a victory over Bishop Carroll in the Class 5A girls soccer semifinals at Bethel College.

“Macy (Ruffalo) just put it in the perfect spot,” Hartweger said. “I’m only benefited from my teammates.”

A scoreless first half, fueled by a defensive stand from the Carroll backline that withstood an onslaught of shots from the Timberwolves throughout the match. Blue Valley Southwest fired five shots with no avail in the first half.

Gracely Briley got one of BV Southwest’s best shots in the 44th minute. Arriving on the left side, she sent a screaming shot that ricocheted off the crossbar and was cleared out by the Carroll backline.

The Golden Eagles registered their first shot on goal with sophomore Sarah Brittan firing a shot outside of the box, and was tipped out by Southwest goalkeeper Jillian Patton.

Hartweger’s goal was Carroll’s first goal allowed since their 2-1 loss to Maize on May 5.

A last-ditch effort for Carroll on a corner kick in the 75th minute sent into the near side post saw Carroll with multiple touches in the penalty box, but managed only one shot on goal and it was eventually cleared out by the Timberwolves.

“My backline played really well today,” Carroll goalkeeper Ashton McCorry said. “We can build on this and come back next year.”

Carroll (17-3) plays for third place at noon Saturday.

This story was originally published May 26, 2017 at 8:13 PM with the headline "Carroll shut out by BV Southwest in semifinals."