The Avery Lady Vikings ran their record to 8-2-1 and proved why they are worthy of the #8 ranking in the latest 1A state poll in defeating the Madison Lady Patriots 3-1 in Marshall Monday night.
In the opening 40 minutes the Avery squad battled a drizzling rain and cool temperatures at O.E. Roberts Stadium, as well as a determined Lady Patriots team hungry for its first win of the year.
A handball called inside the penalty box area resulted in the only tally of the opening half, as Madison's Michelle LaFountain scored on the kick in the upper right corner of the goal in the 32nd minute, giving the Lady Patriots the lead at intermission.
A lackluster first half of play for the Big Red made a 180-degree turn in the second half, as the Lady Vikings played one of its strongest halves of soccer in the season thus far. Avery scored the equalizer just 35 seconds into the half as Katie Peters took a picture perfect through pass and blazed a shot past the Madison goalkeeper to knot the score at one apiece.
Avery took the lead at the 52 minute mark as Elyse Perry continued her offensive surge with a goal, chipping a shot just over the head and outstretched arms of the Madison goalie. The shot squeezed just under the crossbar on the left side to put the Vikings up 2-1.
As the half continued, the Lady Vikings found themselves with a number of additional opportunities to score, but were unable to add an all-important insurance goal. Avery was finally able to score for a third time in the half at 69:00 as a solid header from 10 yards out by Katie Peters off a Perry assist sailed over the top of the keeper and nestled its way into the back of the net for the 3-1 advantage. The senior scored two goals in the contest and performed admirably despite suffering throughout the day from flu-like symptoms.
At the 77 minute mark, Madison benefitted from a questionable takedown call inside the penalty box, affording the Lady Patriots a second penalty shot in the game. This time, however, Avery keeper Cailan Calloway was equal to the task, extending left to successfully turn away the Madison shot attempt. The Vikings keeper was strong in goal, continuing her stretch of solid play in net as Calloway has surrendered only one goal (the first half penalty goal) over the past four contests.
"Last year in a game like tonight, Coach Lou and I would have been screaming and yelling at halftime. But we were able to keep our composure tonight and the girls kept theirs as well," head coach Tom Evaul said after the win. "We told the girls the ball didn't bounce our ways and that they needed to stay calm and cool. In the second half the ball bounced our way. We told the girls if we scored early we would win this game, and Katie came out in the first 30 seconds and did just that. Their keeper didn't move as we caught them off guard quickly, which pushed some wind out of their sails and into ours."
Avery plays a pair of additional home matches this week, a game Wednesday against Mountain Heritage, and a duel of top-10 ranked 1A teams as Polk County comes to town on Friday evening, a change from the original schedule.
Come out and support this talented group of young ladies and watch some exciting soccer action!
