GIRLS SOCCER Taryn Carlson's free kick goal lifts Poland

The Bulldogs rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat Boardman.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Someday Taryn Carlson will coach a soccer team of her own and she can then explain first-hand why certain plays are run repeatedly during practice sessions.
With the match deadlocked at 2 and seven minutes remaining, Carlson calmly drilled a 30-yard free kick just below the crossbar to give Poland High a 3-2 win over Boardman Saturday.
"I just thought I had to get it low because the goal is lower than normal goals and I just kept my head down and I didn't want to get it over," said Carlson, a senior midfielder.
Caught in the act
To set up the winning play, a Boardman player was caught fouling a Bulldog and a direct kick from straight on was awarded.
"I practice it a lot in practice," Carlson said, noting she hits it "50-50."
Boardman goalie Liz Agnew was powerless on the shot, as more than a dozen players crowded into the box, limiting her vision.
"Brit Davis marks up the goalie real well and all our forwards do," Carlson said. "I knew she would have trouble seeing it. Right when I saw it under the crossbar, I knew it was in."
The long-range accuracy of Carlson capped a furious Poland rally after Boardman took a 2-1 lead with 17 minutes to play on a couple of nice goals by Janeen Masternick.
Poland (9-1-1) scored midway through the first half when a shot by senior Dana Donchess hit the Boardman crossbar and Agnew had to commit. Freshman Jessica Toth was left unmarked and her rebound header in the box drew the back of the net.
Spartans strike
Minutes later Boardman senior Maggie Mills centered the ball from the right wing and Masternick headed it in past Poland keeper Landry Yankle.
Boardman (7-3-1) came back from the break with renewed vigor and pressed the attack. Mills beat a defender down the right side and found Masternick in the box.
Although checked closely by Poland's Audrie Plant, Masternick skidded and struck with her left foot, just eluding Yankle for a 2-1 count.
Playing with a separated left shoulder held in place with a special brace, Masternick has 10 goals this season.
Toth assisted on a point-blank goal by Davis, a junior, with about 12 minutes to play, knotting the match and setting up Carlson's heroics.
Coach's words
"If we are methodical about things, if we don't let it get to our heads, if we play our regular game and not get too nervous, then we spread it out and pass well and can score," said Poland coach Jim Sutman of the rally.
"I kept telling them to relax. We got to pass it to make it work."
With six players out due to injuries, Boardman was out-shot 19-8 and Poland tried all nine corner kicks in the match.
"On that free kick she just had it the right way and she just shot it in the goal," said Boardman coach Fawzi Mujahed.