Glendale Falcons – 4
Kickapoo Chiefs – 0
In a game that had three acts, the Falcons were able to surprise their local foes with the shutout this evening. Sophomore Lindsay Sprouse scored what proved to be the ultimate game-winner in the 8th minute when she was sent into the box by an alert through ball from junior Emily Jordan. Sprouse’s speed and balance allowed her to break past the defender, and maintain control, before slotting her ball past the on-rushing goalkeeper. Slowly but surely the Chiefs fought back, taking control of the midfield and the game for much of the remainder of the half only to be thwarted by the resolute Falcon defense, even as the Chiefs earned half a dozen corner kicks. Chealsey Russell was once again the catalyst, as she came back to be in a position to receive and hold more balls from her teammates.
Twice in the half goalkeeper Rachel Duckworth was able to blunt Russell’s efforts, first with a diving save in front of Russell’s run into the box and in the 27th minute when she pushed a shot just wide enough to see it deflect off the upright.
The Chief’s came close to tying when in the 2nd half, outside midfielder Abby Anderson was sent in on the right side, only to see her shot settle onto the crossbar before being cleared. The Falcon’s proceeded to slowly wear down the Chiefs before breaking open the game with three more goals. Russell did not play in the second half and the Falcon’s depth, swapping Brewer & Williams regularly with starters Garrad, Opfer and Jordan, opened up the game. Sprouse scored two more, in the 48th on another breakaway created by Jeni Frewins simple header splitting the defense and then in the 67th when senior Jamie Bond put her cross from the right side directly in Sprouse’s path. Her quick touch lifted the ball over the keeper’s head, caught in no-man’s land.
The Falcon’s completed the scoring in the 72nd, with Frewin tracking down a ball deep in the left corner before turning her defender and putting a cross into the six yard box. Opfer was there to walk it in as it came down behind the defense.
Another twist in the Ozark Conference. Of course, the Falcon’s won the non-Conference game last year before losing later, denying them the outright Conference crown.
Willard Tigers – 2
Greenwood Blue Jays – 0
In a game that appeared certain to go to overtime, the Tiger’s pulled out the win on a late goal by Ali Appleby at Harrison Stadium this evening. In the 72nd minute, sophomore Carol Moss, earning her first minutes with the Varsity this season, sent a diagonal ball that Appleby was able to run onto. Her strike from just inside the box went in just under the cross bar for the game winner. Anne Bird also scored as the Jay’s were caught up trying to equalize.
Rolla Bulldogs – 9
Central Bulldogs – 0
Rolla Bulldogs – 6
Hillcrest Hornets – 0
[…] SGFsoccer.com: Wednesday Before the Deluge […]