Whiteland’s Emma Gill (2) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a first-half goal during Wednesday’s match at Franklin.
Chris Williams | For the Daily Journal
Whiteland sophomore midfielder Madison Fleury didn’t remember ever scoring a goal in the final minute before.
There’s a first time for everything. Fleury launched a goal past Franklin goalkeeper Addi Mashino with 11.8 seconds remaining Wednesday night to lift the visiting Warriors to a 2-1 victory in Mid-State Conference girls soccer action.
“The ball was way behind me and no one was there, so I just went for it,” Fleury said. “I knew there was less than a minute left, so I thought I’m just going to take it. I had taken five shots all game and I thought one of them has to go in — and the last one did. My thing was keep the ball up here (in Franklin territory) and get a shot off.”
Senior Emma Gill, who scored the Warriors’ other goal in the first half, had a shot on goal with around 35 seconds left.
“To win the game, you have to have the ball, so we were on them to get the ball,” said Warriors coach Nick Magdalinos, whose team improved to 4-2 and 2-1 in the Mid-State. “So it got to Madison’s foot, took a couple of dribbles and finished.”
Magdalinos said Franklin (2-5-2, 2-1-1) had a solid game plan.
“They hung back and used their speed up front to counterattack,” Magdalinos said. “Kudos to them; they executed their game plan. We were resilient and we’re going to continue to be resilient. Games like this get you tournament ready.”
Grizzly Cubs sophomore Jazlinn Diaz-Avalos scored with 28:34 left in the second half to tie it at 2-1.
Warriors junior goalkeeper Addison Emberton stopped several shots.
“She’s fantastic for this being her sixth game ever,” Magdalinos said. “She’s a basketball (player) and track thrower, but she’s amazing.”
Emberton says she had never played soccer at any level.
“I was really excited to join the team,” Emberton said. “The girls kind of convinced me to come and play, so I was excited. The coaches wanted me to be goalie, so I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll try it.’ I’ve ended up having a lot of fun.”
Emberton, a state discus medalist this past track and field season, said she plans to stick with soccer next year as well.
Gill had given the Warriors a 1-0 lead with 10:58 left in a first half that saw Whiteland control the ball more.
“The second half we came out with a passion, everyone of the girls came to fight,” first-year Franklin coach Garrett Belden said. “The second half, we had a lot more offense and we jumped on top of them for 35 minutes. The second half we definitely outshot them. Then there were five minutes we got a little bit tired. They didn’t give up and came back at us. They’re a fast team. When two good teams go back to back, it’s who is going to dig deeper for 80 minutes.
Belden said he is looking forward to Diaz-Avalos’ progression. He said she’s a good player, as are her teammates.
“We just couldn’t quite get there today,” Belden said.
