Liberty Hill falls short in Class 4A title game

GEORGETOWN — By the time Liberty Hill recovered from an early 2-0 deficit, its chances of winning a state soccer title were gone with the wind.

On a blustery Thursday afternoon, the team that scored 185 goals in 28 matches came up empty in the Class 4A state championship game at Birkelbach Field. Stephenville scored on a pair of first-half corner kicks — both by junior forward Ciara Johnston — to beat the Panthers 2-0.

Stephenville (25-1-2) captured its second state title to complement the Honeybees’ 2017 championship. Liberty Hill (24-3-2) is already looking ahead to 2020 after reaching the state tournament two straight years.

“The difference today?” Panthers coach Darren Bauer said. “They finished, and we didn’t.”

Johnston, the game’s obvious MVP, scored goals in the 27th and 39th minute of the first half. Both were assisted by midfielder Haleigh Beam.

Across the field, Liberty Hill senior midfielder Brooke Briscoe capped a spectacular high school career. She has scored 80 goals the past two years — 40 in each season — but will not play soccer when she enrolls at Texas Tech in August.

“We had some opportunities but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net,” Briscoe said.

Liberty Hill had a 10-6 edge over Stephenville in total shots. Both teams had three shots on goal.

“We hit the crossbar a couple times and created some chances,” Bauer said. “We were a little worn down in the second half after playing defense against the wind in the first half. We knew coming in that wind would be a factor.”

Indeed, game officials estimated the wind reached 25 mph for most of the match.

“I feel like we gave (Stephenville) a run for their money,” Bauer said.

Liberty Hill had outscored its opponents 185-8 entering Thursday’s match — 37-3 in six playoff victories — but Stephenville had given the Panthers fits during the regular season, too. In March, the Honeybees beat the Panthers 3-0.

Liberty Hill, though, has made great strides during Bauer’s four seasons with the club. The Panthers are 82-23-2 during that span.

Among the players who should return for another shot at state are sophomore forwards Madi Fuller (26 goals, 30 assists) and Piper Tabor (23 goals, nine assists) and sophomore goalie Samantha Carter (seven goals allowed in 22 matches).

“I feel like we don’t have to do anything different,” Tabor said when asked what the Panthers need to do to win state. “Keep our heads up. Keep our heart in it. I feel like next year we’re going to be back again.”