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Fourth-ranked Tuscola stops Smoky Mountain
Tuscola, the state’s fourth-ranked 3-A women’s soccer team, shut out Smoky Mountain 6-0 on March 15 at C.E. Weatherby Stadium in Waynesville.
Lauren Ross scored three goals and had two assists for the Lady Mountaineers.
The Lady Mustangs held Tuscola to six goals despite the Lady Mounties having 52 scoring chances, according to Coach Stephaen Delor.
Smoky Mountain’s Sarah Newbold is ahead of a Tuscola player in a race for the ball during SM’s 6-0 loss last week. – Herald photo by Carey Phillips
“Our defense and goalkeeper got three games worth of defense,” Delor said. “Our defenders forced Tuscola to take 16 shots from 20 yards or more.”
Tuscola got off 36 shots while SM was held to two. Both Lady Mustang shots came late in the game on the same play.
Amy Haggard made 23 saves for SM while Tuscola’s Ashley Escaravage had one.
“Amy had to make a few spectacular saves from close range in order to maintain, from our perspective, a respectable result,” Delor said.
The Lady Mountaineers struck less than two minutes into the game when Ally Mitchell scored off an assist from Ross.
They led 2-0 at halftime following Leah Ward’s goal in the 35th minute with Ross providing the assist.
“At halftime we could sense a bit of frustration from the Mountaineers who were hungry for a few more goals,” Delor said.
Ross scored three straight goals in the second half to put the game away in. The first came less than two minutes after intermission with Stephanie Razdrh on the assist. Ward assisted on the next two, which came in the 55th and 60th minutes.
Razdrh completed the scoring with an assist from Kayla Snipes at the 65-minute mark.
“Tuscola had fewer opportunities in the second half but they were able to score four goals,” Delor said. “One was from a goal kick that went straight to an opponent at the top of the box. Another came when a defender tried to clear the ball and it went straight to the foot of a Tuscola player. Those were two mental lapses from our defenders but nothing that can’t be taken care of.”
He said the players never gave up and gained support from the bench players and fans.
“The team left the field feeling upbeat despite the loss,” the coach said. “They knew they were bringing something home. What they took home will vary from player to player, but one things is for sure. We grew a lot.”
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