The fate of Liberty Center's season rested on the leg of Carly Roth.
The senior kicker from Ohio never thought she would be in this position when she decided to go out for her high school football team this fall. After all, she was supposed to be the backup.
An early season injury to starter Wes Wymer propelled Roth into the starting lineup. Suddenly, Roth found herself as the team's sole kicker only a few months after taking up football.
She took the challenge in stride, and when her number was called to keep Liberty Center's state championship hopes alive, she had ice coursing through her veins.
Carly Roth's 27-Yard Game-Winning Field Goal
Carly Roth has ice in her veins!
She made the game-winning FG for Liberty Center (Ohio) to advance to the state quarterfinals!
(? @crescentsports ) pic.twitter.com/au1piak48D
— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) November 14, 2021
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Liberty Center took control of the Ohio Division VI Regional Semifinal matchup against the Archbold Blue Streaks right from the get-go. The Tigers jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Archbold quarterback D.J. Newman led his team back into the game.
Newman kept the Blue Streaks within 14 for the entire contest, but he took over in the fourth quarter. The signal caller threw a touchdown pass to bring his team with seven. Then, an onside kick recovery allowed Newman to toss a 52-yard bomb 12 seconds later to tie the game at 35.
The Tigers converted two high-pressure third downs to set Roth up with a 27-yard attempt with 3.6 seconds on the clock.
The snap was good. So was the hold. Roth struck the ball and sent it right down the middle of the uprights.
Liberty Center 38, Archbold 35.
"This is incredible," Roth told Yahoo. "I've never felt anything like it. I never imagined it. They've all believed in me from the start. They always pushed me to get better. They have accepted me as one of them.
"This means a lot because our soccer program always gets beat by Archbold. It feels really good to get this win."
Roth's kick also helped avenge a 41-7 loss to Archbold earlier this season.
Liberty Center is three wins away from capturing their first state championship since 1997. They know they can count on their kicker when they need her. She's well-versed in clutch moments.
