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Freeport girls soccer, led by freshman Elena Jenkins’ two goals, storms back to top Butler

Freeport freshman Jenkins nets 2 goals in win over Butler

BUTLER TWP — Elena Jenkins is one of several freshmen fighting for playing time on Freeport’s varsity girls soccer team.

She made a strong case for herself Thursday evening at Butler, scoring the tying goal and eventual game-winner in a 3-2 victory for the Yellowjackets.

Jenkins’ goals came in the 62nd and 66th minute.

“I got control of a through-ball both times before putting it into the net,” she said. “It means a lot to me to help the team. I love playing with everyone.”

Jenkins also scored a goal in Monday’s 6-0 win over Indiana.

Butler's Cecelia Wolford (12) runs the ball down the field during a girls soccer game against Freeport at Butler Intermediate High School on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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“We’ve been playing her as a winger, but (assistant) Coach Phil (Bromfield) suggested we put her at center forward tonight and it worked out,” first-year Freeport coach Steve Kukic said.

The two tallies from Jenkins were part of the Yellowjackets’ second-half flurry against Butler (0-2) goalie Ashton Huff. After trailing 2-0 at halftime, Ella McConville’s corner kick in the 59th minute, Freeport’s fifth corner of the game, led to Tess Hanak’s goal that cut Butler’s lead to one.

“Freeport just played better than us in the second half,” Butler coach Dan Buzzard said. “We did not match their intensity. We lost to Mt. Lebanon (2-0 on Monday), and I felt a lot better coming out of that game than I do this one.”

After gaining the lead, the ‘Jackets did not let up on the offensive end, playing the vast majority of the duration of the game near Butler’s net.

One exception came in the 76th minute when a rush from the Golden Tornado resulted in a foul called against Freeport (2-0) just outside of the penalty box, but when play resumed, Butler misplayed the ball, which went out of bounds without the ‘Jackets having to make a play on it.

“Butler was making mistakes and we wanted to remain aggressive and take advantage of them,” Kukic said. “We did a much better job of communicating in the second half.”

Butler's Molly Rudish (5) and Freeport's Tess Hanak (10) battle for the ball during a girls soccer game at Butler Intermediate High School on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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In the first half, it was Butler putting Freeport on its heels with a pair of goals from junior forward Cecelia Wolford. She managed to get behind the defense in both instances.

She scored a handful of goals as a sophomore, but Buzzard sees potential in Wolford to lead the team in scoring this year.

“Her speed and ability to finish make her a dangerous player,” he said. “We have a young team, but a ton of talent.”

Huff made three saves in the second half for Butler. Kaylen Yaracs, who is expected to start in the section opener Wednesday at Pine-Richland, stopped five shots in the first half.

Alyssa Alcorn was the winning goalie with three saves.

Both teams will look to make the WPIAL playoffs this season out of different classes, Freeport being in 2A and Butler in 4A.

“This win is huge for us,” Kukic said. “This was our first real challenge of the season. We’re playing a lot of freshmen, and this was a stepping stone for the team. I’m proud of the effort.”

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