SOLON — The Lady Spartans soccer team maintained their winning streak in the post season defeating the Mid Prairie Golden Hawks 2-0 in the opening round of Class 1A Region 7 play at Spartan Stadium Wednesday, May 18. Both teams were knotted at 0-0 at the end of the first half. Freshman Rose McAtee booted one in for a goal in the game’s 41st minute, at the 39:08 mark of the second half granting Solon the go ahead 1-0 score. A heated defensive performance followed, until fellow freshman Farrah Hendricks deposited one in the goal with just 14 ticks remaining, guaranteeing the 2-0 victory.
“The victory came from halftime adjustments and discussion about playing balls through the back line,” Head Coach Amanda Paulson affirmed. “I felt Alex Locke had a good defensive performance and Rose McAtee had a great offensive performance, especially in the second half.”
McAtee recorded her goal and an assist while taking five shots, four on goal, for the Lady Spartans while Hendricks scored on her sole shot on goal of the game. Gabby Knipper fired four times, recording one assist; Valerie Miller and Grace Yetley shot twice, once on goal apiece; and Addi Greene, Georgia Havlicek, Alex Locke and Tali Radcliffe each shot once. Alex Paisley served all 80-minutes before the goal for Solon.
The win was Solon’s second over the Golden Hawks this season after besting Mid Prairie 4-0 on April 11 and extending the Lady Spartans’ latest winning streak to six. Solon moves to 15-3 for the season, ending the Golden Hawks campaign at 9-6, and advancing to face the 10-6 Washington Demons (fresh off a 3-2 victory over the Central Lee Hawks) in the Class 1A Region 7 semifinal Tuesday, May 24, at Spartan Stadium.
The winner meets the victor of the semifinal at Van Meter High School on May 24 between the 9-5 Van Meter Bulldogs and the 11-6 Centerville Big Reds, at the home of the highest remaining ranked team in the Regional Final on Thursday, May 26.
Coach Paulson explained post season motivation stems from winning but assured the Lady Spartans continue to look for areas to improve.
“Every win is a motivation to get to the next game and get another win,” she explained. “One thing we could work on is our creativity and final push in the offensive third.”
Coach Paulson acknowledged preparation evolves during the post season with the potential with multiple win-or-go-home games in a week, she also emphasized superstitions and luck are trumped by preparation.
“Yes and no,” she explained. “We try to take it one game at a time but there is a short turnaround between Tuesday and Thursday, so we need to look ahead. No superstitions, but definitely a routine we follow.”
Reflecting on researching the Demons, Coach Paulson acknowledges the threats the Demons pose on the pitch.
“This is a team we haven’t played before so there is a little bit more planning involved as far as watching film, etc,” she revealed. “With a skilled goalie, the girls have to be more creative up top and look to find the corners when shooting on goal.”
Solon has scored 67 goals this season, the Demons 60. The Lady Spartans boast a goal difference over opponents of 60 versus the Demons 28. The Demons recorded just ten assists this season compared to the Lady Spartans’ 23. Solon has taken 333 shots this season with 185 on goal versus Washington’s 253, with 153 of them on goal.
The Lady Spartans have to focus on the Demons’ Giselle Marcelino, leading her team with 25 goals for 57 shots on goal, and Washington’s goalie Elyse Hunt, making 191 saves and allowing just 33 goals this season.
Maria Milliman looks toward a teammate while moving the ball up field in a Class 1A first round match Wednesday, May 18 at home. The Lady Spartans won 2-0 to advance to the semifinals Tuesday, May 24.