Schlegel scores in the second overtime as Freeport beats Burrell 2-1 for a second straight WPIAL Class 2A title

PITTSBURGH. Junior Cecilia Schlegel scored in the 108th minute as Freeport beat Burrell 2-1 in the second overtime on Thursday, Nov. 5, at F.N.B. Stadium to win the WPIAL Class 2A girls soccer championship. The title is Freeport’s second straight. Both championship wins have come against Burrell in the final.

Freeport (16-2-1) scored first in the 14th minute. Maggie Conger crossed the ball into the box, and freshman Gia Conglose scored from 12 yards, her shot going in off the fingertips of Burrell keeper Leah Waldsmith. Freeport led 1-0 at halftime. The unofficial halftime count in the game reports had Freeport ahead 9-2 in shots and 5-1 in shots on goal.

“We’re probably the most talented team in AA, but Burrell is right behind us. You’ve got to have that fight, and you’ve got to have that team chemistry and togetherness. The way they support each other is just huge,” Freeport coach Steve Kukic said.

Burrell (16-1-4) tied the game in the 78th minute. Eva Wilson took a corner kick, the ball bounded around inside the box, and Allie McMahon put it in, with an assist credited to Peyton Coury. The goal came with 2:46 left in regulation, and the game went to overtime tied 1-1.

The first overtime ended scoreless. With 2:21 left in the second overtime and a shootout next if nobody scored, Elena Jenkins played the ball into the middle of the box. Schlegel turned and shot as she fell, beating Waldsmith to the upper corner. The goal was Schlegel’s 24th of the season.

“She was ready to press forward and play me exactly at my feet, and I was ready to turn and shoot,” Schlegel said.

Waldsmith kept Burrell in the game until the end. She stopped Schlegel from 25 yards in the first half, saved a low Schlegel drive in the 69th minute, and in the 107th minute she saved on Conger, one minute before the winning goal. Freeport keeper Sophia Crawford saved on Chase Coury in the 53rd minute. Peyton Coury blocked a Schlegel attempt from six yards in the 103rd minute.

Freeport (17-2-1) opens the PIAA Class 2A tournament at home against District 9 champion Clearfield on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 6 p.m. Burrell (16-2-4) also advances to the state tournament and plays at District 5 champion Bedford on Wednesday night. Burrell has reached the final three straight years and has lost to Freeport in the last two.

Goals: Freeport, Conglose 14, Conger. Burrell, McMahon 78, P. Coury. Freeport, Schlegel 108, E. Jenkins. Halftime: Freeport 1, Burrell 0. Regulation: Freeport 1, Burrell 1.