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MA girls drop two games  | Photo by Barry Burleson
Seeking control
Megan Anderson (right) of Marshall and an Immanuel player race for the ball Thursday. |
The Marshall Academy soccer team fell to Magnolia Heights and Immanuel Christian last week. As
has been the story much of the season, the early going proved to be the
Lady Patriots’ undoing at Senatobia August 30. MA lost 6-2. The Lady Chiefs scored three quick goals and another later in the half to take a 4-0 lead. “In
the second half we were a totally different team and played some really
good soccer,” coach Lance McGregor said. “I was especially pleased with
the defense as they only allowed 10 shots on goal which was a season
low.” Megan Anderson scored Marshall’s first goal on a penalty kick after a Lady Chief was whistled for a foul in the box. Later
in the second half, Anderson centered a ball, which Bailey Blaker had a
soft touch on, and Lauralee Fant finished with the goal. “I really felt like we outplayed them in the second half of the game,” McGregor said. He said Elizabeth Byard, Lane Cunningham and Emma Elgin “showed a lot of promise” versus Magnolia Heights. MA again struggled early in the game Thursday at home against Immanuel and dropped a 7-2 decision. The Lady Rams had just five shots on goal in the first half, however, four of those found their way into the goal. Mayela Armendariz was playing her first game in goal for the Lady Patriots. “She
was a bit nervous for that first half,” McGregor said, “but she settled
down in the second half and had seven saves on 10 shots, which is close
to where we need her to be.” Shots on goal for the game were even at 15 each. “We
are an extremely young team, and the inexperience shows at times,”
McGregor said, “but they are learning and improving, which means they
are working hard. A lot of girls could have given up on the season,
because it has been tough, but they show a lot of character and
continue to grind.” M.C. Hutchens scored Marshall’s first goal when she got behind the goalie and got her shot off. The
second goal came when Claire Liddy brought the ball up the sideline and
centered it to Faith Lafever for a soft touch and score into the corner
of the goal. “We had five or six real opportunities to score more goals,” he said. “We seemed to rush our shots a little bit.” McGregor said his team needs to put the defense versus Magnolia Heights and offense versus Immanuel together in one game. “If that happens, we can turn this thing around,” he said. The Lady Pats (0-8) hosted Indianola Academy Tuesday. They visit Heritage Academy Wednesday of this week for a 4 p.m. contest. |
