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Pinecrest vs Seventy-First Wednesday, April 6th, 2005 John Williams Field, Southern Pines, NC |
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(5-0-0) |
11
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(0-4-0) |
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Pinecrest vs Seventy-First Wednesday, April 6th, 2005 John Williams Field, Southern Pines, NC |
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(5-0-0) |
11
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0 |
(0-4-0) |
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| At this time last year, the Pinecrest girls’ soccer team was 12-0 on the way to an undefeated regular season. After Wednesday’s 11-0 home victory over Seventy-First, the Patriots are a not quite as imposing 7-1-2, including a loss to South View and ties against Laney and Terry Sanford. Freshman LaTanya Cain entered a scoreless match against the Falcons in the 20th minute and scored three times as the Patriots exploded to a 6-0 halftime lead. The Patriots, now 5-0 in the Mid-Southeastern Conference, have outscored league opponents 43-1. The Falcons dropped to 0-4 and 3-6. Tonight, the Patriots travel to Lumberton (4-3-2) for a 7 p.m. non-conference game preceded by a jayvee contest at 5:30 p.m. Last year’s Patriots suffered their only loss in the second round of the state playoffs. In spite of the missteps against strong non-conference foes this season, senior defender Allison Auman feels just as good about this year’s edition. “Even though it was disappointing being beaten and tying,” she said, “we know we can play better. I feel this is maybe a transition year because we have a huge sophomore group that is still adjusting to playing varsity. It was a great feeling to be undefeated last year, but I’m actually more confident about this year’s team.” Patriot coach Lorna Martin says that one of the characteristics of this year’s and last year’s squads has been starting slowly in games. Wednesday night was no exception against the overmatched Falcons. “They had me scared for a little while,” she said. Through the first 26 minutes of action, the home team took 15 shots with no goals to show for it. At that point, Falcon goalkeeper Miriam Berry was injured in the process of recording her seventh save of the night. After a delay of about 20 minutes, she was taken to the hospital by ambulance with what was reported to be a concussion. The fortunes of the Falcons changed almost immediately. Cain opened the scoring in the 27th minute by beating several defenders on the right side of the Falcon penalty area. A minute later, Ann Fields ran on to a long cross on the ground from Lauren Broderick and finished it for a 2-0 lead. Cain would score two more times before halftime. Broderick connected from about 25 yards away and Stephanie Carter headed home a Stacey Blanchard corner-kick to make it 6-0 at the intermission. Falcon assistant coach John Rock thought the long delay as much as the injury contributed to the scoring parade. “I don’t think there is a finer goalie in the league when she puts her mind to it,” Rock said of Berry. “I think with the lull, it kind of cooled our players down.” Megan Cole scored two early second-half goals, both off assists from Molly Lynch. The last three goals of the contest were made by Katie Fields, Ann Fields and Maggie Gartman. Auman felt that the Patriots were being beaten to the ball by the Falcons in the early going. “I definitely admired their hustle,” she said. “They had more get up and go and drive to get to the ball. I think we were still kind of in the spring break groove of things. We need to pick it up tomorrow at practice. “We’re excited about having some good competition again (Lumberton). It’s definitely more fun.” Martin thinks the tougher non-conference schedule makes it hard to compare this year’s team with last year’s at this point in the season. In addition to Lumberton, there are Northwood (April 22), Apex (April 28) and Wilson Fike (May 6) left to play. Apex is currently ranked sixth in 4-A and Wilson Fike is sixth in 3-A. “Those games could go either way,” the coach said, “and I’m still not sure what’s going to happen with Jack Britt (also undefeated in conference play). They’re a tough team. “I don’t think our record means too much. What matters is how well they’re playing. Once they get started, I think they’re playing very well.” Katelyn Burwell and Carter shared the goalkeeping in the Patriots’ fifth shutout victory of the season. Martin is hoping that the twice postponed away game with Jack Britt can be played next Friday in place of a home non-conference contest against Lee County. Patriot supporters have put together an attractive game program that includes photos and comments about all the players, team history and action photos. <-Previous 4-4-05 vs Westover (W, 15-0) 4-8-05 at Lumberton (W, 6-0) Next-> |