Creswell, Sports Zone

Lady Dawgs net league, non league soccer wins

A 2-1 league victory over the visiting La Pine Hawks on Sept. 26 and a non league 3-0 shutout of host Westside Christian on Sept. 24 marked a successful week on the soccer field for the Creswell Lady Bulldogs.
At Westside Christian, sophomore Oreanna Eckburg jumpstarted Creswell scoring in the fourth minute, following up and burying a right-side shot by teammate Karinna Leonard after it was bobbled by the Eagles’ goalkeeper.
The Lady Dawgs’ second goal came in the 66th minute, when Anna Dahl scored off an assist from Allison Smathers. “Anna took a great shot,” said Creswell Head Coach Janelle Sailer.
Smathers capped scoring in the 75th minute when she followed a shot and beat the Eagles’ keeper one-on-one for a goal.
“The girls played a great game, with a total of 19 shots,” Sailer said. “They were connecting passes to each other and communicating well on the field.”
Against La Pine, Abby Mercer opened scoring in the 10th minute, hitting what Sailer described as a “beautiful volley with her left foot” off a corner kick by Dahl.
The Hawks tied things up in the 28th minute after “a short breakdown in our defense,” Sailer said.
“At halftime we talked about what needed to change in order to score,” the coach said. “We talked about staying positive, encouraging teammates, playing with heart and playing their best. That’s all I can ever ask of my girls – for them to play their best.”
Smathers sank a low shot into the lower left corner of the net in the 69th minute, off an assist from Hallie Drago, to give Creswell the win.
Sailer credited her team’s improved energy in the second half and determination to keep shooting with securing the victory.
“The girls took 22 shots, but (many) were not finding the back of the net,” Sailer said. “I was very proud of the girls for continuing to fight and battle, even when the shots were not going in. They played hard and never gave up and pulled out a win.”
Creswell goalkeeper Tabetha Donovan was not called upon to make any saves in either game.

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