Devils defeat Rebels in playoff opener
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EAST FAIRFIELD - The Crestview girls soccer team had the lead in its Division V sectional semifinal against Independence. But it couldn't hold off the Blue Devils on Tuesday night in Rebel Stadium.
The Rebels fell 3-2 in their playoff opener, ending their season.
Crestview and the Blue Devils were tied at halftime, but Independence scored the lone goal of the second half to advance in the tournament.
"I couldn't be prouder of this team," Crestview head coach Maura Belding said. "The way that they pushed, the way they worked all season, it sucks to end where it does but I think a lot of their work was shown throughout the entire season and tonight."
The Blue Devils mostly controlled the first 10 minutes. The Rebels had a quality chance after a corner kick from Maddie Long, but Independence cleared the ball to the midfield.
Crestview finally broke through for the opening goal when Isabella Novak found the back of the net on a free kick from just outside the box with 26:31 left in the first half.
The Blue Devils (7-7-2) quickly tied it at 1 just over a minute later. Crestview goalkeeper Clarice Harroff got a piece of a shot, but it rolled parallel to the goal line. Avery Bechlem followed the shot and tapped it in for the tying goal.
The Rebels (7-9-1) took a 2-1 lead with just under 15 minutes to play. Chloe Houck sprinted through the center of the Independence defense and scored from just outside the box.
Novak nearly had her second goal of the night with just over 10 minutes to play. Independence was called for a handball inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick. But Novak’s shot hit the bottom of the crossbar.
Independence tied it at 2 with 4:01 to play before the break. Alexis Conklyn took a free kick, and the ball was deflected into the right side of the Rebels' net.
"There would have been a lot of close calls that would have been awesome to have, but that's not the result we got," Belding said.
The Blue Devils took their first lead of the match when Bella Patacca controlled a loose ball from about 20 yards out and deposited a shot into the top-right corner with 30:29 to play.
From that point, the Rebels had trouble generating scoring chances. They had a corner kick from Novak and Houckbroke free up the middle for a shot. But in both instances, the Blue Devils came up with a stop.
Crestview made one last push with a minute remaining. They had back-to-back corner kicks, but the Blue Devils managed to fend off the late Rebel rush to end the game.
"We have a problem with getting down and having heads down, kinda thinking 'well, game's over.' But the score went back and forth constantly, and those girls pushed harder than I've seen them all season," Belding said. "I'm so proud. They really left it all out on that field."
The Rebels will have talent returning in the future, but they will lose a sizable senior class. There were seven seniors on the Crestview roster.
The senior class consisted of Delaney Hively, Sydnee Brown, Jasmine Maurer, Mazi Hoon, Analise Davis, Long and Novak.
"They gave a lot of leadership across the board, regardless of captain status or not," Belding said of the seniors. "All those girls on the team wanted to push for, wanted to strive harder for. I think there will be leadership on the team next year. I think we'll need to find some central spots to fill.
"They just gave a lot to this team these past couple years, and it's always hard to lose something like that."