Girls soccer: Freshman Emma McTigue stands out in Medina win over Brecksville

MEDINA — Medina girls soccer fans may need to remind freshman forward Emma McTigue that playing the game isn't always this easy. McTigue looked like she will be a big problem for future opponents, scoring a pair of goals in the first 17 minutes of a 3-0 non-league win over Brecksville on Saturday. Her first tally came just under 10 minutes in and started a dominant effort from Medina (1-0), which controlled the pace of play and was rarely threatened by Brecksville (0-1). "If I remember right, I got the ball at the top of the box, spun it around and saw the goalie fall middle," a very happy McTigue said. "So, I just put it to the corner." McTigue followed less than seven minutes later with a second tally, and things looked to be coming easy to the first-year varsity player. "I moved here in third grade," McTigue said. "I looked up to the high school team ever since. To be playing freshman year is a big achievement. I feel like it will set me up for the season and getting more confidence. I am happy to do it with my favorite seniors." McTigue is one of four freshmen in the starting lineup. Two others will play significant minutes after Medina lost its top three scorers to graduation. The returning points leader, senior Sydney Atkinson (6 goals, assist), closed the scoring when she finished a helper from freshman Tallia Masternak with 2:43 left in the first half. "We showed a lot of teamwork and connectedness," Atkinson said. "Even though there are so many freshmen on the team, we feel really connected. It works so well, and we work so well together." Defensively, Medina didn't allow much. Brecksville's only real threat came on a high ball that goalkeeper and birthday girl Brianna McCashin (3 saves) knocked down and corralled early in the game. "We have a great goalie," defender Caitlyn Taylor said. "She does a great job, but she is not going to be able to save every one, so we need someone there to help make her job easier." Taylor was phenomenal on the backend, teaming with junior Madi Kautzman and fellow senior Becca Keserich to help the 18-year-old keeper finish with a clean sheet. While the 3-0 halftime score held up, that did not stop Medina from continuing to attack. It notched six second-half shots on goal to match its first-half total, but a solid effort from Brecksville keeper Caitlyn Geringer (9 saves) kept the score the same. Medina will face a stiff test in its next contest Wednesday, a big early-season matchup at reigning Division I state runner-up Walsh Jesuit. Contact Chad Grant at sports@medina-gazette.com. Medina 3, Brecksville 0 BRECKSVILLE&emsp;0 0 — 0 MEDINA&emsp;3 0 — 3 First M — Emma McTigue, 30:02. M — McTigue, 23:22. M — Sydney Atkinson (Tallia Masternak), 2:43. Shots on goal — Brecksville 3, Medina 12. Corner kicks — Brecksville 1, Medina 1. Saves — Caitlyn Geringer (B) 9, Brianna McCashin (M) 3. Records — Brecksville (0-1), Medina (1-0). Junior varsity — Medina 3, Brecksville 0.