NORTH LIBERTY– The Liberty Lightning struck against the Spartans, twice in the second half, to steal the win, 2-0, at Liberty High School in North Liberty, on Saturday morning, April 24.
Sophomore goalie Alex Paisley battled for 80 minutes at the net, turning away five shots on goal, allowing two scores in the second half, in the Lady Spartans’ loss to the Bolts.
Solon took 13 total shots, six of them on goal, to no avail at Liberty High.
The Lady Spartans’ sophomore Morgan Link fired five times during the game with only one on goal. Freshman Grace Yetley shot twice on goal and freshman Tali Radcliffe and junior Lauren Bevans took one shot on goal apiece. Junior Alex Locke fired three times, once on goal, and Sydney Rissman took on shot.
“Liberty had more energy throughout the game and it was evident that Solon was playing on tired legs,” Head Coach Amanda Paulson explained. “We were not adjusting well to their numbers in the midfield, forcing us to change our original line up.
“I thought we came out stronger in the second half and we were able to hold them off until the last seven minutes,” she continued. “At the end of the day, we just didn’t have enough left in us.”
Coach Paulson praised the Lady Spartans’ depth as they dipped into the bench.
“We had a lot of girls come off the bench on Saturday and all of them performed well, especially Reilly Johnson,” she stated. “Alex Paisley also had a great (one-on-one) save on the day.”
The Lady Spartans do not have much time to recuperate though, with games on Tuesday and Thursday on the home pitch.
“We have two home games this week,” elaborated Coach Paulson. “Tuesday against Maquoketa, which should allow some good offensive opportunities, and Thursday against Mount Vernon, which will prove to be a tough match up. I am looking forward to what the Spartans can bring.”
The Lady Spartans, 4-3 on the season, host the Maquoketa Cardinals (1-5) at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, at Spartan Stadium and turn around Thursday, April 29, to host the Mount Vernon Mustangs (7-0) at 5:30 p.m.
Monday, May 3, Solon visits Williamsburg High School’s Bob Murphy Stadium to battle the Raiders (2-3) at 5 p.m. and hosts the Center Point-Urbana Stormin’ Pointers (4-4) at Spartan Stadium at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.
The Lady Spartans continue a home stand on Monday, May 10, at 5:30 p.m. hosting the West Branch Bears (1-3), then travel to Independence High School (2-5) on Tuesday, May 11, for a 5:30 p.m. varsity match and visit Vinton-Shellsburg (3-3) High School’s Karr Athletic Complex on Friday, May 14, to a 5:30 p.m. varsity kick off.