WELLMAN– The Lady Spartans’ varsity soccer team blanked the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks with a point in each half, both courtesy of sophomore Morgan Link, for a 2-0 win at the Wellman Rotary Soccer Fields on Monday, April 19.
“I thought the game was a little slow in the first half,” Head Coach Amanda Paulson explained. “It was a cold game and we were playing in long grass and, as a result, I thought our energy offensively was a little slow. However, we were more dangerous than Mid-Prairie and I thought energy improved in the second half.”
Solon’s sophomore goalkeeper Alex Paisley spent 80 minutes protecting the net making two saves, in stark contrast to the 80 minutes served by Golden Eagle senior Emily Swartzentruber who spent the time battling 11 Lady Spartan assaults on the Wellman net, allowing the two goals to give Solon the victory.
“My back line, including Alex Paisley in goal, as well as Gabby Knipper, all had outstanding performances and worked hard to shut down Mid-Prairie’s offense,” praised Coach Paulson.
“I think we had the most success out wide and this is where we could have capitalized,” she added. “Mid-Prairie had their strongest players centrally and they were going hard into tackles and winning a lot of 50/50 balls. I think we could have utilized our wide players more to get crosses in centrally.”
Link scored Solon’s two points, taking five shots, three of which were on goal. Freshman Gabby Knipper took one shot on goal during the game, as did freshman Grace Yetley and senior Stella Mesch, while Alex Locke fired two shots on goal. Junior Lauren Bevans took a shot as did freshman Emma Alvord.
Sophomore Georgia Havilecek was responsible for an assist.
The Lady Spartans played their first home game of the season on the pitch at Spartan Stadium on Friday, April 23.
Coach Paulson echoed the team’s excitement for visiting Spartan Stadium for the first time in the season.
“The team is excited for their first home game and I think they will bring the energy into the game against Benton,” she proclaimed. “We will also be on turf where we are most comfortable.
“I am hoping to see more offensive presence in the game Friday after working on runs up top this week,” she added.