Photo by Ellen Swanson
The Lancer girls’ soccer team looked to bounce back from their loss against SMS, but fell 0-1 to their rival SMW last night, April 6.
The Lancers started the game with a new formation of a 4-4-2, hoping it would allow more pressure offensively and more space in the midfield. Although the Lancers had 12 shots and 5 corners throughout the game, they weren’t able to get a successful shot on goal.
With eight minutes to go in the first half, freshman goalie Sydney Daris was slide tackled by a West forward leaving cleat marks streaking up her shin. She was unable to keep playing due to an ankle injury and replaced by Senior Mazie Brooke.
At halftime, Kelly urged the team to stay composed and to keep looking to possess. With this in mind, the Lancers started off the second half with strong aggression and successful possession. A close shot from sophomore forward Emily Cooper just missed over the goal at the 36’ minute mark. Lancers took control of play for the next 10 minutes by passing through the midfield, winning corners and creating shots on goal.
With 17 minutes to go, the Vikings were given a corner kick. As the ball ping-ponged around the six yard box, East scrambled to clear it, but eventually a West forward found the back of the net.
“They scored off such a preventable error by us which makes it worse knowing we could have done more to prevent the goal,” junior Maddy Muther said.
The Lancers hurried to equalize the score creating pressure on the Viking’s half of the field. Soon after the goal Cooper was fouled and East had a chance to score off the free kick, but the ball was cleared by the Vikings for a corner.
A cross put into the box at the three-minute mark excited the crowd, but the quick shot by senior Josie Clough was saved by the West keeper. Two more last-minute corners were earned by the Lancers, but ultimately weren’t enough to tie up the game.
Time expired with a score of SME 0 to SMW 1 despite the Lancers dominating possession throughout the game and having multiple opportunities to score.
The girls look to come back from the tough loss at their next game on Tues. April 11 at the SM Soccer Complex vs. SMNW. Can’t make it to the game? Check out smeharbinger.net for the live broadcast.