Girls varsity soccer battled against Francis Howell Central for the third time this season on Friday, May 19. After losing and playing to a tie earlier this season, the Eagles played their best match when it mattered most. 

A 3-0 win led to a district championship for the second time in school history and pushed Liberty’s undefeated streak to 11. 

From the beginning of the match, the team felt ready and excited to play. 

“Once we started playing, there was nothing that could stop us,” junior Makenna Bahr said. 

The first half started and Liberty secured a corner kick goal 15 minutes in, scored by junior Lola Gianino. Continuing to battle through the first half, senior player Rachel Skyberg scored the second goal. 

“I scored but it was a team effort and everyone played great,” Skyberg said.  

Once the Eagles had a better lead, they started to become more confident. 

“This was the year we were all expecting it and really wanting it,” junior goalkeeper Sydney Strassemeier said. Nearing the end of the second half, senior Morgan Struttmann scored the third goal with just under 12 minutes left in the game. 

After realizing that the Eagles were going to take it in a shutout, the team started to get excited. Once the scoreboard buzzed, the Eagles stormed the field to celebrate their second district title in school history. 

“This group has worked so hard to get to this point this year. This was awesome to allow them to be rewarded,” said head coach Heidi Kleekamp. 

This group has been so bonded and worked so hard. Many of these girls have been teammates for the last few years. Many said they wouldn’t have changed a thing and that this team has been so bonded and worked very hard this year. 

Now the Eagles begin prep for their sectional game against Lafayette at Liberty on Saturday at 6 p.m.