Three 1-0 games to close out regionals, that’s when you know all the right teams made it.
I made the trek to Bellbrook to watch the Warriors with a friend. And selfishly see the matchup of Murphy and Erbach after missing the Moorman and Erbach match up on Tuesday. Truthfully I wasn’t disappointed.
Little miss Maddy was exceptional on the ball, she absolutely dominated the midfield and has remote control of the ball on her foot unlike anyone I’ve seen in years since probably Ravin Alexander. I don’t know what Mariemont is going to do without her. She was the standout on the Warrior side. 2 great chances for a goal on breakaways that she created by moves that ended with keeper saves. She is always open, has a deft touch and amazing field vision and a shot that belies her size. Murphy will go down as one of my all time favorite players to watch. She has outplayed her size for 4 years. Bitter sweet end for a truly special player. Though I expect she will flourish in college. She’s joining recent local CHL standout Jervier and a few other local studs already at EKU next year and is on the Hammer ECNL team this spring. Good luck Miss Murphy! You will be missed by Mariemont and HS soccer fans alike.
Erbach is a different level all together from anyone I’ve watched this year. She was man marked all night but created chances for herself and her team regardless and was probably their best defender as well. Countless dangerous balls played on the ground into space that went unfinished after received for one reason or another. She had many shots all on frame all created not handed to her including her goal. I watched her play club ball many years ago and last year on a live stream, But that young lady puts on a show, she was literally everywhere on the field.
It was a nice to end my in person soccer viewing season watching two of the best play the beautiful game. They even matched up head to head a few times. Side note Bellbrook has exceptional facilities, who would have thought that!
