Creswell, Sports Zone

Lady Dawgs pick up second league soccer win

Bulldogs midfielder Karinna Leonard beats Eagles Bella McMahan to the ball during the first half of the Creswell vs. Westside Christian matchup on Sept. 24. Leonard made one assist in the game. The Creswell Bulldogs won against the Westside Christian Eagles 3-0 and have an overall record of 4-2-2. CHRISTOPHER PALANUK/THE CRESWELL CHRONICLE

Now 2-0-1 in league and 3-2-2 overall, the Creswell Lady Bulldogs earned a win and a tie in league action last week, defeating the visiting La Pine Hawks 2 to 0 on Sept. 17 and battling the host Santiam Christian Eagles to a 0 to 0 tie on Sept. 19.
The Lady Dawgs got on the board with a strong combination play in the 35th minute against La Pine. Sophomore midfielder Abby Mercer crossed the ball in front of the Hawks’ goal, where fellow midfielder, senior Allison Smathers drilled the ball into the back of the net.
Three minutes later, senior midfielder Hallie Drago pressured the Hawks’ goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the back corner of the net for a 2 to 0 Creswell advantage at halftime.
In the second half, ”We outshot the Hawks 12 to 0, but could not find the back of the net again,” said Creswell Head Coach Janelle Sailer. ”I was proud of the girls because even when their touch wasn’t on or the calls weren’t going their way, they continued to battle hard and pull out a win.”
Creswell goalkeeper Tabetha Donovan was not called upon to make any saves in the game. ”They never got the ball to her, and she even ended up playing on the field for a little bit during the second half,” Sailer said.
At SC, the Lady Dawgs and the Eagles battled hard but both teams were scoreless in both halves.
”At halftime, we talked about continuing to play our game, keep possession of the ball, and the goals will come,” Sailer said.
”The girls went back out and tried to execute what we had talked about, outshooting the Eagles 6 to 1 in the second half,” she said. ”Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the back of the net and the game ended in a 0 to 0 tie.”
Sailer credited Creswell’s defense with keeping the Eagles off the board. ”Our defense played an incredible game – including a 60-yard sprint by senior Aubrie Hatch to stop a goal from scoring,” she said.
Donovan made about four key saves in goal during the stalemate, as did the Eagles’ keeper.
”It was a very close game, and our level of play and teamwork was much improved,” Sailer said. ”We are headed in the right direction and improving every day.”

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