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Brevard hands SM women soccer loss on Senior Night
Annelise DeJong scored two goals in the first 10 minutes leading Brevard to a 3-2 Western Athletic Conference soccer victory over Smoky Mountain last Thursday at Carr Hooper Stadium/Babe Howell Field.
The loss spoiled Senior Night for the Lady Mustangs (7-9-1, 5-4-1), who finished third in the league. They would have tied Brevard for second with a win.
“We were not sharp to start with, and Brevard made us pay with their speed up top,” Coach Stephaen Delor said. “The first goal was a keeper hesitation. Amy (Haggard) normally gets these easy balls, but she came out of her goal too late and the attacker scored from 5 yards. The second goal was from a defensive breakdown. The ball went through three defenders on the left wing. Our sweeper then left her central position to pressure the player with the ball. That player made a pass to the vacated middle to DeJong who was wide open. She blasted her shot from 10 yards.
Ashley Kevitt scored the third goal for the Lady Devils in the 19th minute.
“That goal came from a player not being properly marked at the top right corner of the 18,” Delor said. “She chipped our keeper from 18 yards.”
SM then settled down and got on the board when Jenna Carpenter scored in the 31st minute. “Brevard’s defense cleared a ball that Jenna intercepted 30 yards away in a central position,” the coach said. “She controlled the ball then shot it high and with power. The ball sailed into the goal above the keeper’s outstretched arms. Twenty-eight yards is a long way to the goal. That’s another thing you don’t see very often in women’s high school soccer.”
The Lady Mustangs closed within 3-2 in the 61st minute on Malissa Gispert’s goal with an assist by Sarah Newbold.
“Sarah made a strong play on the right wing and crossed the ball towards attacking teammates,” Delor said. “Malissa came out with the ball to go one on one against the keeper. She skillfully slid the ball under the goalie to beat her from 12 yards. Calmness under pressure was the key here. Malissa’s shot was low and to the far post.”
SM had about a half dozen chances the rest of the way and came close a few times.
“Lesson learned,” Delor said. “We’re proud of the players’ effort to rally. They almost did it. Their performance revealed their character as a team but we must be focussed from the start for 80 plus minutes. Anything short of that would come back to haunt us, especially in the state playoffs.”
The Lady Mustangs lost despite a 19-11 advantage in shots. Haggard finished with 13 saves, and Victoria Mosser made 12 for the Lady Devils.
“Our coaching staff has done a tremendous job thus far in bringing this team where it is,” Delor said. “I am fortunate to be surrounded by dedicated individuals who brought their knowledge to help our players. It was challenging at times but in the end, we did what it took to make this year a success. As we know it is only the beginning.”
Delor noted he was an assistant under Chris Griffin and Phil Woody in 2000, the last time the Lady Mustangs made the playoffs.
“I want to thank them because they taught me a lot, and we hope to make them proud this year,” he said.
Delor said the season was being dedicated to Scott Myers, who had helped with the school’s soccer programs. Myers was killed in an accident in January.
“He would have been proud to have seen the heart with which these girls play game in and game out,” Delor said. “He used to say ‘18 inches. That’s the distance between your head and your heart. Always play with the two connected.’ This one is for you, Coach.”
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