Fast start propels West girls to unbeaten crown

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November 22, 2009

By Jamie Wachter / executive sports editor The Meridian Star Sun Nov 22, 2009, 12:27 AM CST

West Lauderdale had one goal in mind Saturday during the final game of the Lauderdale County Schools girls soccer tournament at Northeast Park: Start quickly.

The Knights did just that, netting a pair of early goals against Clarkdale on the way to the 2-0 win that wrapped up the tournament title following a 1-0 win against Northeast Lauderdale and 3-0 win against Southeast Lauderdale earlier in the day.

Playing the Bulldogs two days earlier, West had to battle through a scoreless first-half tie to pull out a 3-0 win. With the tournament rules of 20-minute halves, Knights coach Sonja Rowell was worried about the effect another slow start would have.

"We expected the challenge like we got the other night where they just held us and held us and held us and we couldn't get anything going," she said. "We knew (Saturday) with the shortened game that we were going to have to get going early or we'd probably be in a tie or they'd pop one in on us."

Those worries were for naught as Hannah Scott scored twice early in the first half off assists from Ashlyn Pope and Baleigh Germany. Scott's first goal came off a rebound as Clarkdale keeper Amber Spann stopped her first attempt. Later, Scott lofted a shot from the left side over Spann and into the right corner of the goal.

"Hannah got us up pretty quick," Rowell added. "She kind of caught the keeper cheating up and kind of just chipped it over."

The Knights continued their attack in the second half, but were unable to add to the lead as Sarah Harris made saves on Germany and Ninochka Gomez on breakaways.

In other games, West got a goal from from Gomez off a Lacy Billings assist to edge Northeast 1-0.

Gomez then added three goals in a 3-0 Knight win against Southeast. Kayte Ford and Tori Taylor assisted for West.

Caroline Kennard scored Clarkdale’s lone goal in a 1-0 win against Southeast, while Harris earned the win in goal with a shutout.

Harris registered another win and shutout in the Bulldogs' second game as Kayla Phillips scored for Clarkdale in a 1-0 win against Northeast.

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