Hawks’ season ends to top seed

The Liberty Hawks girls soccer season came to an end at the hands of top-seeded Edison-Fresno in the Div. II semifinals at McLane Stadium in Fresno.

Brooke Wristen scored the opening goal of the game, but the Tigers came back to score a pair of goals in a six-minute span and added another goal late for a 3-1 victory Tuesday.

“They have a strong midfield,” head coach Erick Walker said. “Their midfield put constant pressure on our midfield and back line. Edison kind of changed how they played to counter Brooke. They dropped their fast forward to the back to battle Brooke.”

Wristen scored three minutes into the second half to give the fourth-seeded Hawks an early lead after a scoreless first half.

The Hawks had their chances in the second half, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

“We had a couple of good chances with a couple of shots from the outside,” Walker said. “Holly (Strong) just missed the near post. It was a great shot.”

Despite the loss, the Hawks, in their first year in the Div. II playoffs, battled to the semifinals and Walker was proud of his team’s fight against an Edison team that gave them their previous defeat.

“The girls were tough and resilient,” Walker said. “They showed a lot of heart and character throughout the season. We play these tough teams at the beginning of the season so things at the end of the year becomes easier with the physicality. It makes a statement for the school and the community.”