By PAUL GOTHAM
BROCKPORT, N.Y. — Last season, Ellie Ockrin started at outside back for the 2022 Class AA champion Webster Schroeder girls’ soccer team. With All-County performer Megan Fry handling responsibilities in goal, Ockrin waited her turn.
On Wednesday night, Ockrin, the current Schroeder keeper, proved it was her time.
Finishing with an 11-save shutout, Ockrin and the No. 2 Warriors advanced to the Class AA finals with a 2-0 win over No. Webster Thomas.
“In the last year, I have found that this is my position,” the senior keeper said. “I definitely enjoy playing it. I think it’s a ton of fun, and I love making those big saves and being able to put the team on my back in those moments.”
Ockrin was at her best in the second half with the Warriors clinging to a 1-0 lead, and a Thomas squad pressing forward looking for an equalizer.
“When they (Thomas) went to playing three up high against our three backs, it gave them a lot more opportunities,” said Schroeder head coach Kent Brown. “(Thomas midfielders) Catherine Rogers and Sophie Esders were finding space and dribbling. Luckily, we held together as a group and we didn’t give them that many clean looks at net. When they did get clean looks, Ellie came up really big.”
Big save fromEllie Ockrin on a Catherine Rogers blast. Schroeder 2-nil late second half. pic.twitter.com/Usb5gJ7q8P
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 26, 2023
Playing behind the Schroeder backline of Shannon Koomen, Maddie Peterson and Eva Pathos, Ockrin made nine saves coming out of the break. A Thomas squad that managed a mere one corner kick during the first half set up for five set pieces from the flags during the final 40 minutes.
“They’re down one-zero at half and it is such a big game that you know they’re going to bring the energy no matter what,” Ockrin said. “We’re both battling. It might be our last games. Both teams were bringing a ton of energy. It’s definitely a mindset. I knew that they were going to bring it. We all knew that they were going to bring it. I had to come out and make saves.”
Have a night Ellie Ockrin. Schroeder keeper stops 9 shots in the second half. Schroeder 2 Thomas 0 FT pic.twitter.com/PNUQ4evGsi
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 26, 2023
An injury sidelined Ockrin earlier in the season. She returned to lineup early in October after missing six games and registered an eight-save shutout in a 2-0 win over Hilton. Last Saturday in the quarterfinals, she stopped seven shots in the Warriors’ 2-1 win in overtime against Greece Athena.
“She has had a spectacular senior year,” Brown said. “She’s been terrific. Ellie was a tremendous role on the sideline and in practice for Lucy (back-up keeper, Starzyk). She was doing all those things that you ask a senior to do.”
Emma Rascoe scored with 21.9 seconds remaining in the first half to give Schroeder the lead. Maddie Adams redirected a cross from Sasha Zilist to double the advantage less than six minutes into the second half.
Emma Rascoe gets @Schroedersoccer on the scoreboard with 21.9 seconds remaining in the first half. pic.twitter.com/OL39HI2ELI
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 26, 2023
46’ Sasha Zilist runs down a ball on the end line and feeds a cross that Maddie Adams redirects for a 2-0 @Schroedersoccer lead. pic.twitter.com/gucDPlT1fQ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 26, 2023
Schroeder (17-2-0) will face top-seeded Spencerport in Saturday’s final.
Thomas finished the season 13-5-0.
Leave a Reply