SOLON– The Lady Spartans played much of their home opener protecting their goal, on Friday, April 23, but every time they mounted a sortie into Benton Bobcat territory it possessed purpose, resulting in a point in the first and second half, while the defense limited Benton Community to just one point in the second half for a 2-1 victory.
“Friday’s game was a team effort!” exclaimed Head Coach Amanda Paulson.
The Lady Spartans, as a team, took 15 shots, eight on goal, to emerge victorious.
Solon sophomore Morgan Link scored once and junior Alex Locke was credited for Solon’s other score. Link took five shots, four of them on goal and Locke fired once on goal with success. Senior Stella Mesch earned an assist and fired four times, once on goal. Junior Lauren Bevans earned an assist and fired twice. Sophomore Georgia Havlicek fired once on goal, as did freshman Gabby Knipper. Freshman Grace Yetley also took a shot for the Lady Spartans.
Goalkeeper Alex Paisley served 80 minutes protecting the goal, making three saves, allowing only one high ball to skip off her fingertips into the goal.
“I felt the girls did a great job possessing the ball and switching point of attack to create offensive opportunities,” Coach Paulson praised. “Offensively, Mesch, Bevans, Link and Knipper all had great games. Late in the game, our defense stepped up and handled the pressure well from the Bobcats.”
Benton played a very direct game with a lot of balls overhead, Paulson added.
“They really pushed in the last five to 10 minutes, but I was completely confident in our defensive abilities,” she said.
The Lady Spartans played the Liberty Lightning, at North Liberty High School, on Saturday morning, April 24, at 11 a.m.
Coach Paulson was excited to extend the Lady Spartans’ win streak, having already peaked behind the veil, so-to-speak, scrimmaging the Lightning pre-season.
“Going into the game on Saturday, I hope to continue our focus on possession and composure through the midfield and our finishing in the final third,” she said.
“Liberty will be a good match for us,” Coach Paulson extolled. “They have a few offensive players we will need to keep an eye on, but it should be a great game!”
Lady Spartans snare Bobcats, 2-1
April 26, 2021
Jeff Hess
Lady Spartan junior Christine Diersen uses her head to redirect the ball during Solon’s 2-1 home opener over the Benton Community Bobcats on Friday, April 23, at Spartan Stadium.
