Although the weather has thrown a wrench into soccer schedules throughout the region, the Dayspring girls soccer team has managed to play five games so far this season compiling a 4-0-1 record.
Their most recent match was a 2-2 tie against longtime VACA South rival SVHS. In that match, weather played a prominent role as strong winds aided both sides in alternating halves.
The Lions controlled the game for much of the first half and were able to maintain position on the SVHS side of field aided by a strong wind.
Lions midfielder Emma Kennedy capitalized by scoring twice in the half. Keeper Emma Cook was challenged but was up to the test keeping the Conquerors off the score sheet giving the Lions a 2-0 lead at the break. However, the script was flipped in the second half with SVHS able to maintain a majority of possession on the Lions’ side of the field. They likewise capitalized twice to even the score at 2-2. That proved to be the final result earning both sides a tie.
Earlier matches saw the Lions beat Westover 8-0, Roanoke Valley Christian 6-1, North Cross 1-0, and Fresta Valley Christian 6-1.
The Lions’ scoring punch was led by Emma Kennedy’s 7 goals, Ellie Buehrer’s five goals and Karli Edwards’ five goals.
The stingy Dayspring defense gave up only two goals in those four matches and was led by the Mandell sisters Kylah, Karmen and Karis playing Sweeper, outside back and stopper respectively.
Kylah and Karis also each added a goal in those matches as did forward Lydia Gorzycki.
The North Cross match was a particularly tight one with neither team finding the back of the net in the first half. Edwards scored the game-winner midway through the second half with a low line drive from near the top of the penalty area.
Due to the unfriendly weather, the Lions’ season is only now ramping up with eight games scheduled over the next three weeks.
–Dayspring Athletics