ST. CROIX LEGACY TOPS UNION KC TO MOVE ON TO CENTRAL REGION FINAL

 

St. Croix Legacy life to fight another day with 3-1 win over Union KC in the Central Region Playoffs semifinal. Amara Smith and Bella Meier scored first half goals and Cecilia Emery added a third to put St. Croix through to the Central Region Final tomorrow. 

 

Smith put the North Lakes Conference champs up 1-0 in the seventh minute off a rebound after Union KC goalkeeper Nimu Karani’s diving save came back into play off the post.

 

Smith doubled the lead in the 28th minute after a lengthy St. Croix possession inside the Union KC penalty area, placing a shot from the top of the penalty area off a feed from Smith. 

 

Union KC pulled a goal back in the 59th minute when Reese Birch finished at the far post after St. Croix failed to fully clear. 

 

St. Croix punched its ticket to the South Region Final in the 77th minute when Emery finished from close range after Brook Nelson’s shot was blocked going through a crowded goal box. 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Paris Moua

 

With the win, St. Croix Legacy moves to 1-1-0 in the postseason and 7-2-1 overall. 

 

St. Croix moves on to the Central Region Final at Mustang High School in Mustang, Okla. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CDT). 

 

St. Croix Legacy: 3
Union KC: 1

 

St. Croix Legacy: Hadley Johnson; Briana Henaman, Emily Hinze, Grace Schwoch, Marisa Bonilla; Bella Meier, Emily Olson, Savanna Stockness; Amara Smith, Brooke Nelson, Wren Van De Walker. Substitutes: Anabel Hillstrom, Cecilia Emery, Emma Johnson, Kate Praetz, Kylie Albert. 

 

Union KC: Nimu Karani; Kendra Roberts, Nastassja Garrett, Sophie Spoonmore, Sydney All, Reese Birch, Emery Ruliffson, Caroline Carter, Allison Estanich, Kennedy Miller, Emery Ruliffson. Substitutes: Kate Gibson, Lily Kytasaari, Piper Hughes, Kayla Smith, Adriana Benassi. 

 

1-0: Amara Smith 7’
2-0: Bella Meier 28’
2-1: Reese Birch 64’
3-1: Cecilia Emery 77’

Misconduct
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