Shelby dominated the final 45 minutes of Saturday morning's
district championship game in McBain, scoring a 3-0 victory over Mount
Pleasant Sacred Heart to bring home the team's third consecutive
district title.
The Tigers spent most of the first half
figuring out what coach Joe Gorton called the Irish's "challenging
pressing style," which forced midfielders into quick decisions. Late in
the half, though, Shelby broke the scoreless tie when Kylie Brown reeled
in a pass by Fernanda Espinosa and fired home a goal.
In the
second half, Shelby exerted its influence over the game, and it produced
results as Brixtyn Friedman and Olivia Rogers scored goals. Lydia
Soelberg and Annabelle Stark each recorded an assist in the half.
"Our
defensive crew of Ava Lamberg, Sydney Reed, Charlie Friedman, and
Ari Garza were able to make things difficult for the Irish offense,"
Gorton said, noting the Tigers' 18-4 edge in shots on goal. "Brylee
Friedman posted her second consecutive clean sheet, notching six saves."
