Special to the MDN – The Lady Devils soccer team traveled to Sylva on Thursday to take on 3A Smoky Mountain High School. The Mustangs would get on the scoreboard first, 21 minutes into the game, when they would score off a free kick from 30 yards out. With 13 minutes left in the half, Freshman Karena Cline would find Senior Kaylee Simmons with a through pass and Simmons would tie the game up 1-1. The Mustangs would jump back on top with 1 minute left off of a shot in the center of the field 30 yards out. The half would end with the Mustangs up 2-1.
Two minutes into the second half, the Devils would get fouled 40 yards out from the goal. Sophomore Anna Gray would take the free kick from the spot of the foul, and put it right on frame tying the game 2-2. With 12 and a half minutes left in the game, the Devils would get called for a handball in the box, giving the Mustangs a penalty kick. They converted the kick putting them up 3-2. With 33 seconds left in the game the Mustangs would curve a corner kick into the goal giving them the 4-2 win.
“We definitely did not play our best game, but it showed us very specific things that we need to work on.” said Head Coach Scott Cline. “We play these bigger schools to prepare us for conference play and the playoffs. We will watch film and tweak what we need to work on to get prepared for our next game.”
On Defense Sophomore Anna Gray led the way with 13 Steals/Clears, followed by Senior Jadyn Perez with 5, Senior Mazie Helpman with 4, and Senior Jade Henry and Freshman Karena Cline each with 3. In the game, Sophomore Emmie Fuller recorded 6 goalkeeper saves.