Wilson stops Mifflin in battle of Berks I girls soccer unbeatens

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

The special players, the ones who end up in All-State conversations at the end of the season, find ways to tilt the field when the game seems even.

One play, one moment and it all changes.

Wilson’s Elizabeth Estrada and Natalee Vicari had two of those moments Wednesday night. They turned a scoreless draw into a comfortable win.

Vicari scored twice and had an assist. Estrada scored once and had two assists. Wilson defeated Gov. Mifflin 4-0 in a matchup of Berks I girls soccer unbeatens at Shillington.

It started with a seemingly innocent loose ball that Keira Levengood pushed through the midfield.

“We kind of started off slow,” Vicari said. “The energy was there. We just didn’t finish it. So once we finally got some sort of connection it started to click. Then we just didn’t stop.”

Estrada took the pass on the first bounce and quickly moved it ahead. Vicari ran through and beat her defender on a mini-breakaway. Wilson opened the scoring after nearly 35 minutes.

Some players settle the ball instead of passing it. Estrada didn’t. Some players can’t get the shot on frame. Vicari did. That’s how the ball ended up in the net.

The second moment came early in the second half. Estrada placed a corner perfectly on the far post. Vicari headed it home. It was 2-0. 

Estrada is a weapon on free kicks and corners. The senior put another one perfectly on Levengood’s head that nearly turned into a goal.

“I usually find who’s running far post and who’s running in,” Estrada said. “So I try to put it inside the six and over the goalie’s head.”

Wilson poured it on with two more goals late. Emma Gehret deposited her second before Estrada capped the scoring.

The Bulldogs’ attack is an embarrassment of riches. Vicari has a team-high seven goals and three assists. Estrada has four goals and six assists. Then there’s Macy McDonough with four goals, Levengood with three, Ainsley McLain and Lily McCausland with two each.

Coach Tim Fick substitutes liberally and keeps his starters fresh.

“If a player needs an extra rest, it’s not a distinct lineup,” Vicari said. “You just do what needs to get done. We always have subs who can come and fill the slots.”

Wilson (3-0, 5-1) went through a brutal three-game stretch in five days. It lost at Central Bucks West Saturday before knocking off Berks I challengers Exeter and Mifflin by a combined 7-1 in the span of 48 hours.

Despite the impressive record, the Bulldogs see room for improvement. They’re trying to capture the county title for the third time in four years.

“We’ve won some games that we haven’t played at our best,” Fick said. “As coaches we want our team to play at the best level possible. It’s not about the outcome. Are we progressing as a team?”

Wilson is getting there and remains in first place. The Bulldogs have only dropped two league games since the end of the 2016 season.

Mifflin (2-1, 4-1) piled up 25 goals in its first four games. The Mustangs were shut out by the defensive play of Kelsy Moschak, Kylie Dries, Emmi McLain and Kaitlyn Coldren and keeper Alexis Solt.

Wilson and Mifflin clash again in three weeks. This is a matchup both teams circle on their calendars. The winner has the inside track to the division crown.

“There’s always that first league game against Mifflin,” Vicari said. “It’s nice to come out on top.”