L-B rallies past Clear Fork

TIFFIN --With 2:57 remaining in the first half in the Division IV regional semifinal in Tiffin Tuesday, Liberty-Benton found itself in unfamiliar territory against Clear Fork.The Eagles were trailing.When Clear Fork freshman Maci Roberts sent the ball past L-B goalkeeper Lauren Erdeljac and into the back of the net, it was the first time L-B had trailed – or even allowed a goal – since the Colts beat the Eagles 3-2 in a regular season game Oct. 10.Liberty-Benton's players could be excused for being a little rattled."I didn't really know what was gonna happen there," said the team's leading scorer, Ally Ferris. "I didn't like the feeling of being down, and having to really claw our way back out."L-B trailed 1-0 at the half, and Eagles head coach Andy Modd admitted that his squad – which features nine seniors – was a little anxious."The girls were really, almost a little bit panicky, especially our seniors, because they wanted this game so badly," Modd said. "They felt like it was getting away from them. We had to calm down and we had to play our game."L-B did that, and the game turned around.Bella Flippin headed in a ball off a Reagan Niese corner five minutes into the second half to tie it, and then with about 12:00 left in regulation, Ferris converted an assist from Reese Alexander.The defense did the rest, and L-B advanced to a regional for the first time since 2022 with a 2-1 win over the Colts.The Eagles advance to Saturday's regional final, where it will play Chagrin Falls at a spot to be determined.For whatever anxiety the Eagles might have felt at halftime, Flippin said they came out confident in the second half."We knew we could do it," she said. "It's just a matter of being confident and playing how we know, controlling the ball, passing the ball and waiting for the right moment to come."Flippin, one of the Eagles top defenders, scored her fourth goal of the season."Bella played fabulous. Even Bella, halftime, emotions were getting to her," Modd said. "It could (have been) her last game as a senior."She really kind of leveled off in the second half, came out focused with a lot of intensity, as did our entire rotation."And Ferris provided the exclamation point."Once I saw Reese play that ball, I just took off and then I just ran hard," said Ferris about the play. "I tried to stay composed and focused on just getting my foot on the ball so I could guide the ball in, and luckily that's what happened."Modd said the go-ahead goal changed the game."When Ally found that second goal, to me, that was huge, because what that gave us the ability to do was rely back on what I will say is our identity from a defensive perspective," Modd said. "We play strong, we play tight, we play very physical and the girls have great anticipation."We knew if we could get up one, we could hold them."And the goalkeepers did their part. Erdeljac played a solid first half, while Rylie Grant was in goal for the second.Grant made a key diving save when the game was still knotted with 26 minutes left.Both of our goalies had a fabulous day," Modd said.Modd said he didn't know a lot about Saturday's opponent, Chagrin Falls, but that "I don't think the opponent necessarily dictates how we play.""We just got to do what we know and then play hard," Ferris said.