After more than two years, the Webster County High School soccer team put a notch in the win column last Saturday, knocking off Grayson County 2-1 in regular season action.
After uninspired play against Madisonville on Thursday, the Lady Trojans played with a little ‘fire’ on Saturday to pick up the thrilling victory. The win pushed WC’s record to 2-1.
“It was definitely a total team effort,” noted head coach Tom Welshans. “Our defense, especially goalie Ashley Smith, was outstanding, limiting the Lady Cougars to just eight shots.”
Webster took a 1-0 lead 25 minutes into the match on a goal by Sara Dame. A good defensive effort maintained that score the rest of the half.
“Our midfielders controlled the middle (of the field) and our forwards had 16 shots on goal,” Welshans continued.
Grayson County (1-1) scored its only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half to knot the score at 1-1.
But the Lady Trojans rallied late in the game and took the lead for good on a goal from Alyssa Cook in the 70th minute of the match. Webster’s strong defense continued the final 10 minutes to preserve the exciting triumph.
“I think this (win) should ignite our girls to more victories in 2008. We’re a very talented team, we just have to believe in ourselves and play 80 minutes of soccer. The wins will come if we do that,” Welshans added.
• The Lady Trojans made it a doubleheader sweep on Saturday as the junior varsity squad posted an impressive 3-1 win over Grayson County.
Shawna Welshans booted two goals while Lauren Grant added a score as well.
“Our younger girls are getting better with each game,” Welshans concluded.
Madisonville-North Hopkins 10
Webster County 1
The Lady Trojans were completed overwhelmed last Thursday at Donley Field in Madisonville by the Lady Maroons.
Heidi Clayton scored five goals and Madisonville held the WCHS girls to just two shots on goal in the first half to spark the rout.
“We just don’t believe in ourselves when we play district favorites like Madisonville and Henderson,” WCHS Tom Welshans stated. “We just weren’t ready to play the minute we stepped off the bus. We weren’t aggressive at all. But I think that confidence will come with time and a few more victories. I certainly think we’ll play better the next time we face them.”
Madisonville led 6-0 at halftime and then scored two quick goals to start the second half.
WCHS managed just four shots on goal in the second half, three of those coming in the final 10 minutes of play. First-year player Alyssa Cook booted Webster’s only goal, a nice one-on-one move in the 72nd minute.
“She came down and broke down their sweeper,” Welshans said of Cook. “They left their sweeper alone and she (Cook) just got by her with quick ball skill and made a good shot in the corner.”
The second-year coach was also impressed with the play of rookie goalie Ashley Smith. The talented junior made numerous saves, including point-blank shots from the Lady Maroons right in front of the net.
Webster is back in action tonight, hosting Crittenden County in Dixon with the varsity game beginning at 5:30.
