So close… Jr. Lady Cyclones fall to Boone in region championship, 3-1

Published 12:37 am Wednesday, October 23, 2019

By Allen LaMountain

 

BY ALLEN LAMOUNTAIN

STAR CORRESPONDENT

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GRAY – Overcoming a slow start to the season, the T.A. Dugger Lady Cyclones soccer team made it into the playoffs and upset Indian Trails and Ridgeway along the way.

But on Monday night at Nathan S. Hale Stadium the Cyclones could not overcome a slow start and fell to Daniel Boone Middle School 3-1 in the region championship.

Presley Gross scored a goal in the 29th minute of the first half on a free-kick at the penalty area line and she lofted a high shot past Dugger goalkeeper Abbie Crigger for a 1-nil halftime lead.

“We had been staying strong through the entire first half,” said Dugger head coach Ethan Gouge. “The defense still stayed strong, that was a really nice shot and sometimes you do the best you can and it still goes in.”

The Cyclones employed a defense-first approach in the first half sending just seven attackers when in possession while holding three defenders back plus the keeper making it easier for the Lady Trailblazers to possess the ball and stay in the attacking end for a good part of the half.

Then a penalty inside the last minute gave Gross the opportunity she needed and her shot arched high and just over the reach of Crigger.

The second half saw the Cyclones (5-7 overall) stick with one defender back and sent everyone forward in the attack which produced some scoring opportunities.

Shayla Orellana had a free kick attempt that was blocked by the Boone backline and earlier Makenna Smith had a shot on goal that Blazers keeper Anna Wells handled well going to the ground to stop the low shot.

“Savannah had been a real key defender for us,” Gouge said referring to Savannah Smith being kept back as a “sweeper” type defender in front of Crigger.

“She has been a real asset in our defense. We started a little slow this season but picked it up in the second half and got some key wins to get to this point.”

Smith had another chance with a corner kick that she blasted into the side of the Blazer net, and that close call fired up the Boone 11 as they went into high gear offensively.

Michaela Frazier scored on a shot from outside the penalty area with a high blast that just cleared the crossbar in the 44th minute to stake Boone to a 2-nil advantage.

“I have 12 eighth graders and they made it their goal to get to this game,” Lady Blazers head coach Ashley Delevega said. “Offensively and defensively we came together as a team and got it done. I’m so proud of my girls and the effort they showed.”

In the 46th minute of play, Kassie Estep fired a shot, similar to Frazier’s only from Crigger’s left but with the same effect as the Blazers now led 3-nil with little time left.

In stoppage time Orellana was awarded a penalty kick and she made good on it for the final tally of the match.

—

Region 1 Girls Middle School Soccer Championship

Nathan S. Hale Stadium

Daniel Boone M.S. 3-1

T.A. Dugger   0 1 – 1

Daniel Boone 1 2 – 3

Scoring summary

First Half

D – Gross (free kick, unassisted) 29:00

Second Half

D – Frazier (unassisted) 44:00

D – Estep (unassisted) 46:00

T – Orellana (penalty kick) stoppage

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