[Baltimore Sun] Mia Savage scores only goal as No. 14 Century girls soccer defeats Manchester Valley, 1-0
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With a hefty 13-day break in between games, Century girls soccer coach Chris Little took the time to prepare his team on multiple fronts as they look toward the stretch run of the season.
Instead of practice one day last week, Little instead took his team on a trip to see Manchester Valley play Liberty. Little and his girls were able to do some scouting and come up with a game plan for two top challengers to the Knights’ county championship.
On Monday, Century got to put its Manchester Valley scouting report to good use.
“The girls that came to the game really got to see how quick, fast and talented we thought Manchester Valley was,” Little said. “So we had to give him a lot of respect even before we took the field tonight.”
With film thoroughly studied and a solid plan in place, it was time to execute and the Knights did just that, shutting out the Mavericks, 1-0, Monday night for another county victory.
“I thought we came out really fast and played well from the beginning,” Little said. “They have really good players that gave us fits all night long and we responded.”
The Knights broke a stalemate when Bella Coccio kicked a laser across the field that reached teammate Mia Savage. Savage, one of many dangerous strikers at Little’s disposal, was able to find the back of the net for what stood as the game’s only goal.
“I know to always be ready,” Savage said. “I’m a very aggressive player and I go for every ball that I can and try to make an impact.”
After Savage put the Knights up, the defense clamped down. Goalie Megan Taltavull was the anchor behind a stingy unit. The junior finished with eight saves on the night as she led a defense littered with new starters that have been working hard all season to be playing their best soccer when the crucial points of the season approach.
“It all falls on her but she knows that she’s not going to earn that zero on the scoreboard if she doesn’t work and talk to her defense.” Little said. “We brought four new defenders out here at the beginning of this year and they’ve done a fantastic job so far this season.”
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Taltavull capped off her impressive day with a diving stop of a Mavericks shot, showcasing her athleticism and willingness to do whatever it takes to anchor such a strong unit.
“I just try to be prepared for anything,” she said. “My communication is a big thing for me as well as my ability to shut down angles and read plays before they happen.”
The Knights now must be prepared for a ja- packed run as the 13-day break is countered with a quick three-game stretch this week that includes back-to-back matchups against Westminster and Francis Scott Key. With the goal of a third straight county title in mind, the plan is still the same as the Knights fight on to finish out the regular season on a high note.
“We’ve had big goals and a target on our backs,” Savage said. “From day one, we haven’t done anything but push forward together and strive to get better every single day.”
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