On Friday evening Avery hosted their neighbors to the north, the Watauga Lady Pioneers in a non-conference match. Two early Watauga second-half goals were the difference in a 3-1 Lady Pioneers win.In years past, the battle between the rival schools has been a bitter one, but this year's encounter was a showdown of mutual respect, as players from both squads have competed together as teammates and friends on regional club teams. Nevertheless, a victory for the first time in women's soccer over the Lady Pioneers would be a feather in Avery's proverbial hat.
The Big Red got on the scoreboard early in the match. In the second minute, Avery sophomore Mary Chesnut found fellow sophomore Melinda Eggers with a pass through a number of Watauga players, who slipped a shot past the keeper to give Avery a 1-0 lead at the two minute mark.
Avery's lead would be short-lived. As the weather darkened, the Lady Viking lead faded to black. In the ninth minute, Watauga scored the equalizer as Ashlyn Clark capitalized on a strong individual effort to escape the Viking defense and score. The score remained knotted at 1-1 through the remainder of the first half.
With the exception of a two-minute breakdown, the two squads played to a virtual standstill. Watauga made the most of those two minutes, however. In the 45th minute of action, Watauga's Kendyl Baird fired an outside shot into the goal to put Watauga up 2-1.
Less than a minute later the Lady Pioneers struck for another tally. During a scramble in front of the Viking goal, Watauga managed to push another shot into goal. The Watauga 3-1 advantage remained unchanged through the remainder of the match, as the defense for both clubs was strong enough to prevent any scoring opportunities.
Avery senior keeper Cailan Callaway had 3 saves while Avery’s offense took 5 shots on goal in the match, a lower normal than in a number of Lady Vikings matches as Watauga’s defense kept Big Red from taking additional shots. Watauga had a total of 11 shots on goal, mostly from the midfield area. The Vikings were unable to convert on their five corner kicks.
The Lady Vikings fall to 13-3-1 overall, and remain at 9-1 in conference play. Avery has two remaining regular season conference games, hosting Hendersonville for Senior Night on Monday at the special match time of 5 p.m. The following evening, the Vikings travel to Polk County to tangle with the Lady Wolverines at 6 PM.
The Big Red got on the scoreboard early in the match. In the second minute, Avery sophomore Mary Chesnut found fellow sophomore Melinda Eggers with a pass through a number of Watauga players, who slipped a shot past the keeper to give Avery a 1-0 lead at the two minute mark.
Avery's lead would be short-lived. As the weather darkened, the Lady Viking lead faded to black. In the ninth minute, Watauga scored the equalizer as Ashlyn Clark capitalized on a strong individual effort to escape the Viking defense and score. The score remained knotted at 1-1 through the remainder of the first half.
With the exception of a two-minute breakdown, the two squads played to a virtual standstill. Watauga made the most of those two minutes, however. In the 45th minute of action, Watauga's Kendyl Baird fired an outside shot into the goal to put Watauga up 2-1.
Less than a minute later the Lady Pioneers struck for another tally. During a scramble in front of the Viking goal, Watauga managed to push another shot into goal. The Watauga 3-1 advantage remained unchanged through the remainder of the match, as the defense for both clubs was strong enough to prevent any scoring opportunities.
Avery senior keeper Cailan Callaway had 3 saves while Avery’s offense took 5 shots on goal in the match, a lower normal than in a number of Lady Vikings matches as Watauga’s defense kept Big Red from taking additional shots. Watauga had a total of 11 shots on goal, mostly from the midfield area. The Vikings were unable to convert on their five corner kicks.
The Lady Vikings fall to 13-3-1 overall, and remain at 9-1 in conference play. Avery has two remaining regular season conference games, hosting Hendersonville for Senior Night on Monday at the special match time of 5 p.m. The following evening, the Vikings travel to Polk County to tangle with the Lady Wolverines at 6 PM.
