Girls' soccer team 6-0

— We another great week of soccer last week, winning three conference games.

On Tuesday, we defeated Decatur 6-0. Kendra Boyd scoring 2; Adora Lee, 2; Kanisha Eckart, 1; and junior midfielder Courtney Millsap adding her first goal of the year.

On Saturday, we defeated Bergman 6-0. Kendra Boyd scoring four, with Adora Lee and Yochabel Perales adding one each.

The big game was Friday. We defeated Huntsville in the third overtime period. Twice we had to battle back to tie, with Kanisha Eckart scoring a goal in the first half to even the score at 1-1, and in the second half Courtney Millsap added a crucial goal to even the score again at 2-2.

The score remained 2-2 at the end of regulation and through two overtime periods, going in to “shots from the mark.” After the first five shooters, the score remained tied 5-5, with Kanisha Eckart, Emily Bond, and Yochabel Perales connecting on their shots. We won the match on the sixth round, when Adora Lee scored the game winning goal after Keeper Terra Jones stopped Huntsville’s previous attempt. It was a huge win. I am so proud of our young ladies, battling back twice to tie the match and finding a way to win. It was certainly the most exciting win in our four-year history.

I also would like to single out the great defensive performances. Senior sweeper Ausha Griffin has played great, as have outside backs junior Jessica Vanhook and sophomore Ashley Scott. Sophomore defensive midfielder Shaumbry Patterson had an outstanding week in the middle of the formation, as did junior keeper Terra Jones.

Freshmen midfielder Bryana Carter, defender Jordan Dobbs, and forward Ana Palacios have either started and / or played very much throughout the year and have been very important contributors to our success. We have fourteen players that I do not hesitate to play at any time, depending on the flow of the match. By far, more depth than we have ever had.

The wins bring our conference record to 6-0 going in to our final conference match with Shiloh Christian on Saturday, April 24. Shiloh should also come into the match undefeated, and it should be for the conference championship.

The wins also secure us either first or second place and seed going into the state tournament. Overall, our varsity record is 10-1, the only loss being to Huntsville, 2-1 in the first match of the season before getting our full squad after basketball season.

This week we have two “friendly” matches, with Bentonville JV there on Tuesday and Siloam JV here Thursday.

Leading scorers to date: Kendra Boyd, 25; Kanisha, Eckart, 11; Yochabel Perales, 10; Adora Lee, 4; Courtney Millsap, 2; and Emily Bond, 1.

Sports, Pages 8 on 04/14/2010