No. 4 Hough girls soccer wins 2024 "Battle of Huskies" with No. 22 Heritage
As the adage goes, "sometimes it is better to be lucky than good."
On Friday night, Hough was both.
In the return game of the "Battle of Huskies" series, Sarah Funderburk was credited with a second half tally that would be enough to secure a 1-0 win over Heritage.
Strong play on the back line in the final 20 minutes of the match helped the home-standing Huskies improve to 16-1-1 on the season.
Hough's attack was relentless when it needed to be, keeping Heritage keeper Audrey Hatch on her heels for most of the night.
If they were able to find the back of the net, it felt as if Funderburk would have her fingerprints all over the goal. Big runs in the first half nearly broke the ice early.
In the 54th minute of play, the Hough senior attempted to send a ball towards Mary Wunder in the box. The cross first graced the head of a Heritage defender before deflecting off of the leg of another, and in to the net for an own goal.
Landry Boyles helped Heritage counter in the final 20, but Riley Pickels got her mitts on the Huskies' best scoring opportunity of the night.
Attempting to battle back from the 1-0 deficit, Heritage could not muster many scoring opportunities as the match approached its final minutes. Hough was able to corral the ball in the attacking third for the last three minutes to secure the win.
Last season, Heritage claimed the win over Hough on its home field. The fortunes flipped in 2024 as Hough claimed its 13th victory in the last 14 tries.
Heritage dropped to 11-4-4 with the defeat. Hough hosts Mallard Creek, Harding, and Apex Friendship next week.
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