Kylie Dinh’s late defensive save preserves Urbana’s 1-0 win over Oakdale
Sophomore Kylie Dinh made the first defensive save of her high school career with just over six minutes left, helping Urbana hold off Oakdale in a battle of Frederick County powers.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Urbana beat Oakdale 1-0. The Hawks improved to 2-0. Sophomore Kylie Dinh made a defensive save with 6:15 remaining. It was the first defensive save of her high school career. Makenzie Kilcoyne scored the only goal on a deflection of an Emily Dinh shot. Oakdale goalkeeper Iris Mokashi made 18 saves. Urbana earned 21 penalty corners.
Urbana needed one more save to protect a one-goal lead Monday.
This time, it did not come from the goalkeeper.
Sophomore midfielder Kylie Dinh made a defensive save with 6 minutes, 15 seconds remaining, helping the Hawks preserve a 1-0 win over Oakdale and improve to 2-0. It was the first defensive save of Dinh’s high school career.
The play came on one of Oakdale’s few penalty-corner opportunities.
With the Bears threatening to tie the game, Dinh stepped into the path of a bouncing shot, controlled it and quickly cleared the ball away from danger.
Urbana coach AJ Stuart credited Dinh with saving the Hawks at a critical moment.
The game also became a showcase for Dinh’s older sister, Emily Dinh.
With 6:19 left in the second quarter, Emily took a pass from Makenzie Kilcoyne on an Urbana penalty corner and sent a shot toward the cage. Kilcoyne redirected it past Oakdale goalie Iris Mokashi for the only goal of the game.
Mokashi kept Oakdale in the game all night.
The senior goalkeeper finished with 18 saves, including a stop on a penalty stroke with 2:31 remaining in the third quarter. Oakdale coach Sherry Morres called it the best game she had seen Mokashi play.
Urbana generated 21 penalty corners, but Oakdale repeatedly survived thanks to Mokashi and its defense.
The Hawks ultimately needed only one goal — and one huge late defensive play — to get the win.
The result improved Urbana to 2-0 and dropped Oakdale to 1-1 in an early matchup between two established Frederick County field hockey programs.
WHAT IT MEANS
Urbana showed it can win a close, defensive game even when its offense does not capitalize on every opportunity.
The Hawks controlled much of the penalty-corner action, but Oakdale’s goalkeeping kept the game tight. Dinh’s late save ultimately became just as important as the only goal.
For Urbana, the 2-0 start now includes a win over one of the county’s traditional field hockey powers.
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