The Creswell Lady Bulldogs soccer team battled the host La Pine Hawks to a 1-1 draw on Oct. 11 during their only game last week.
Senior midfielder Allison Smathers got Creswell on the board within the first three minutes of the game, sailing a shot into the upper right corner of the Hawks’ goal from about 40 yards out, off an assist from freshman Karinna Leonard.
“It was a beautiful goal,” said Creswell Head Coach Janelle Sailer.
Up 1-0 at halftime, Sailer and her team set second-half goals of continuing to press and maintaining possession of the ball.
“They had continued to play well for the first half, but could not put any more goals away,” said Sailer, expressing confidence that if her girls focused on doing what they discussed during the break, “the goals would come.”
In the second half, the Lady Dawgs “played much better,” Sailer said. “They were passing the ball more and played with more energy.”
Creswell, however, was dinged for a handball in the box in the 63rd minute, awarding the Hawks a penalty kick, which they sank to tie the score.
“With 17 minutes left to play, the Bulldogs played amazing,” Sailer said. “They had many shots on goal and were passing very well — but again, the goals would just not go in and the game ended 1-1.”
Creswell Goalkeeper Tabetha Donovan made 12 saves during the game.
Although they were denied the win, the Lady Dawgs managed to keep the game out of the loss column, and Sailer said she was “very proud” of how her team played.
“They never gave up, trusted us as coaches when we changed a few things around and played with heart,” she said.
Now 2-0-3 in league, 5-2-4 overall and second in Special District 3 team standings, the 17th-ranked Lady Dawgs host league leader Santiam Christian for their Senior Night game this week, where seven seniors will be honored.