The Avery Lady Vikings (ranked tenth in the latest Eurosport NC 1A girls soccer poll) scored a go-ahead goal at the 54-minute mark and the defense held third-ranked Polk County at bay in a 2-1 win Monday evening at MacDonald Stadium. The victory was the team's first triumph since the Lady Wolverines joined the Western Highlands Conference.The Lady Vikings came out strong despite having an almost two-week period between games. Avery did not rest on its laurels during the break, however, as the coaches and players worked on a formation change throughout the practice week. By match's end, it was apparent that the hard work paid off in a major fashion.
Throughout the first half both teams played disciplined defense. Polk County could not cash in on a couple of shot attempts in the half, as one shot hit a crossbar and another caromed off a post, keeping the contest scoreless.
The Lady Wolverines did finally break through for the game's first goal, however, as junior midfielder Anna Trakas peeled off a precise cross field shot from around 15 yards which found the upper corner of the net for the 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute. The score remained unchanged through the remainder of the half.
Avery showed renewed vigor and tenacity as the second half began, showing fresh legs and pressuring the Lady Wolverines in all parts of the field. In the second minute of the half the Lady Vikings took a corner kick, and Mary Chesnut Smith executed with pinpoint precision the kick, which Emily Banner headed into the net for the equalizer to knot the score at 1-1.
The Big Red kept the pressure on the Lady Wolverines, who appeared to ever-so-slightly bend from the combination of cooler temperatures and a relentless Lady Vikings club that peppered the Polk netminder with nine shots on goal. Calloway continued to be a wall in goal for Avery, as she fended off every shot that came her way.
At the 56th minute the Lady Vikings made a game-changing play as sophomore forward Melinda Eggers put pressure on a Polk defender and forced a bad pass which Smith stole for Avery. Smith broke away from the pack toward the Lady Wolverine goal. Smith took a ground ball shot which the Polk looked to make a play on. The ball escaped the keeper's grasp, however, and slowly rolled into the back of the net for a 2-1 Lady Viking advantage.
Avery's stonewalling defense took over for the final 25 minutes of the contest as the veteran back line defenders such as senior Kasey Brown, junior Hayden Blackburn, and senior keeper Cailan Calloway, as well as a tireless midfield and front line frustrated the visitors from Columbus.
As time expired the Lady Vikings celebrated the win with congratulatory hugs and extended arms of triumph. The win ties Avery with both Polk and Hendersonville at only one conference loss each. The Lady Vikings hold a 6-1 conference mark equaling the Lady Wolverines, while Hendrsonville holds an 8-1 mark in WHC play.
"This is about the best we've played. We played a little sloppy at times in the first half, but the second half really won it for us. In the first half we were passive and letting them do what they wanted to do, but in the second half the girls came out ready to play soccer," the coaching staff stated following the huge win.
"Everybody in the game played to their top level. The practice week helped us. We had three really good practices that helped us prepare mentally for this game. If we can take what we did tonight and carry that intensity into the rest of the season, we can step up in any areas where we may be lacking."
The win improved Avery to 10-2-1 overall, while Polk drops to 9-6 on the season. Avery travels to Mars Hill College on Thursday evening to take on the WHC fifth-place Madison Lady Patriots, then return home for a pivotal rematch with the Hendersonville Lady Bearcats, who are ranked sixth in 1A soccer and hold a 10-2 overall record.
