Goalkeepers shine in draw

Playoff-like matchup ends with Maumee, AW failing to score

Anthony Wayne goalie Taylor Hill blocks a shot against Maumee on Wednesday, Sept. 19, in Whitehouse. The goalies shined for both teams as the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

For a split-second the most significant moment of Wednesday night's Northern Lakes League girls soccer match between Maumee and Anthony Wayne seemed to play out in slow motion for Generals goalie Taylor Hill.

With only 13 minutes remaining and the game locked in a scoreless tie, Hill found herself faced in a one-on-one situation with a hard-charging Maumee midfielder looking to score. Panthers standout freshman Claudia Woolford was free on a breakaway and took head-on aim and fired a hard-liner at the Generals' goal in an attempt to break the tie.

However, Hill made a save by reaching out and snatching the ball out of the air to deny Woolford a potential game-winning score.

Neither Hill nor Maumee goalie Jacq Korsog would allow anything by them all night in a defensive match that ended in a 0-0 tie at AW.

PHOTO GALLERY: Maumee vs. Anthony Wayne

"Woolford is very good, so when she took her step, I just tried to keep it clean and allow nothing in the back of the net," Hill said, recalling the game's most significant moment.

Woolford's shot on goal probably would have found the back of the net more times than not. However, it required a stellar stop from AW's junior goalkeeper.

"I thought it had a chance, but she made a great save and I can't do anything about that," said Woolford.

Maumee, which is ranked No. 8 in the Division II poll, finished the contest with 12 shots on goal while AW tallied six shots on goal.

Maumee coach Steve Kikolski credited both teams for playing an all-around solid match.

The Panthers (8-0-2, 2-0-2 NLL) remained without a loss this season and were riding a five-match win streak before entering their league rivals.

"It was back and forth," Kikolski said. "They had some corner kicks in the first half that were close, but Taylor Hill made a great save on Claudia Woolford's shot. That was a fantastic save and no rebound.

"I think both teams had some chances, but no one could quite finish. But that's two pretty good teams."

AW coach Lori Williams also commended both teams for performing well in a playoff-like matchup. The Generals (5-2-2, 2-1-1) registered their second straight tie of the season. AW and Findlay played to a 1-1 score on Monday.

However, Williams thought the Generals' overall performance was an improvement from their first tie of the week.

"It was a great game on both sides," Williams said. "I thought both teams left it all on the field. They both played extremely hard and hats off to both.

"To keep two clean sheets [shutouts] means a lot of good team defense and I thought both teams did a great job of that."

Neither team left the field celebrating a triumphant outcome. Yet, no one went away feeling dejected.

"Our defense was great and their defense was great ," Hill said. "Everybody was awesome ."