Special to the MDN – The Lady Devils soccer team traveled to Highlands on Thursday to open up conference play. The Highlanders were undefeated the previous season winning the conference championship. “We knew going into the game that it would be a tough game, especially with Highlands top two scorers from the previous season returning,” said Head Coach Scott Cline. Just eight minutes into the game the Lady Devils would commit a foul just outside the box. Highlands would convert their free kick into a goal. Less than a minute later Freshman Karena Cline would take a corner kick and Senior Mazie Helpman would get her body on the ball converting it into a Devil goal. The first half would finish out with the Devils and Highlanders tied 1-1.
It would take the Lady Devils 30 minutes into the second half before they could add another goal despite numerous shot opportunities. Senior Kaylee Simmons would make a throw-in to Senior Avery Maples who would then return the ball back to Simmons who would take a long shot finding the corner of the goal. Seven minutes later Cline would find Freshman Mya Burrows-Kurr for the Lady Devils third and final goal of the game. The Devils would secure the 3-1 win. The Lady Devils kept the ball on the attacking half of the field a majority of the game taking a total of 23 shots while Highlands had 7 shots in the game. “We played a really good game overall. We just struggled at times with finishing.” said Coach Cline. “This was a big win for us and plays a major role in meeting some of our team goals.”
Defensively Sophomore Anna Gray led the way with 11 Steals/Clears each, followed by Senior Jadyn Perez with 6, Senior Avery Maples and Freshman Sophie Matz each with 5. In the game, Sophomore Emmie Fuller had 7 goalkeeper saves.