SOHS over Elizabethtown 2-0




There were many reasons to be concerned about this night's sub-section 4 game against Elizabethtown. They had already beaten South Oldham in a pre-season scrimmage and again in the regular season at the Lexington Catholic invitational. Also, the Lady Dragons were coming off an always emotional win over cross county rival Oldham County which might leave some teams drained. There were starters playing with injuries and the Lady Panthers were bringing a "more than respectable" 19-3-1 record into the game that included victories over Manual and Sacred Heart in addition to those over SOHS. Those of us in the stands were a little nervous about this one, but Coach Tucker's squad rose to the occasion earning a 2-0 shutout in impressive fashion.

SOHS wasted no time in putting their opponent on notice that they were in for a battle earning a corner kick in the opening minute that Hay placed in scoring position, but which sailed through untouched. Two minutes later Hay fired a free kick that the goalie saved. Another corner by Hay at the 33 minute mark was headed wide right and Dana Deptola got a shot on goal off a Hay free kick 7 minutes after that. South would not let up as Hay took a pass from Allison O'Bryan and fired a shot missing wide right and the Lady Dragons sailed one over the goal off a throw in at around the 10 minute mark.

SOHS finally hit paydirt when Hay sent a corner kick which glanced off the far post bouncing in for a goal which would give South a 1-0 lead at halftime. E-Town battled South pretty even at midfield but found it tough going beyond that. Although spending some time in their offensive end, they only managed a corner kick at the 28:20 mark and a hard shot that sailed high over the cross bar off a throw in with about 2 minutes left in the first half.

Elizabethtown came out strong as the second half opened trying to create some offense, but the momentum quickly changed when a foul gave up another free kick opportunity which South Oldham took advantage of when Hay sent another awesome ball to Amanda Moore who pushed it in for the "dynamic duo's" second goal and a 2-0 lead at the 37:47 mark.

Play got a little more physical as the second half wore on, so much so that Coach Tucker, in an effort to protect his players, questioned a no-call after Kari Clark was taken out and was given a yellow card for his efforts. The Lady Dragons continued to win the offensive comparisons getting good shots from Claire Workinger, Kari Clark, Stephanie Hay and Stacie Silvers. Dana Deptola, Katie Moore, Allison O'Bryan and Claire Workinger battled in the trenches at midfield where E-Town seemed strongest. Coach Tucker got important quality minutes from Rachel Sipp, Stacie Silvers and Kristen Young in relief.

The few times the Lady Panthers made a run or spent time in front of the SOHS goal, strong play by Michelle Huber, Libbey Smith and Chelsea Rueff turned them back. E-Town only managed two real threats in the second half getting a corner kick with about 10:30 left which sailed out of bounds into the net and free kick with just over a minute remaining that was cleared by Rueff. Ally Tucker continues to display the savy decision making, sure hands and solid saves we've come to expect from the senior goalie and led her team to it's 15th shutout of the season.

WAY TO GO DRAGONS !! BEAT SACRED HEART !!

Return

1