Lady Trojans warm up in second half
By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
Jan. 12, 2002
After two games this week in the cold night air, the Northeast Lauderdale Lady Trojan soccer team was looking forward to playing in the day-light.
Unfortunately, it was just about as cold Saturday afternoon, thanks to a brisk northern breeze. It took Northeast about a half to warm up, but once the motor got going, they were able to take care of a pesky squad from West Lauderdale.
The Lady Trojans scored eight goals in the second half snapping a 1-1 tie to go on and beat the visiting Lady Knights of West Lauderdale 9-2 here at Trojan Field.
The win lifts Northeast to 10-2 on the season and finishes off a 3-0 week. The Lady Trojans remained unbeaten in Division 5-4A play after blanking West Jones 4-0 on Friday night.
West Lauderdale, now 5-6-1, gave Northeast a battle and was still within a goal at 3-2 following Sarah Birmingham's goal off a corner kick by Kiley Rowell. Brittany Uhl also had a hand on the goal which came with 26:45 to play.
Northeast, however, took care of matters with six straight goals. Following a hand-ball foul, Eliza Gavin converted a one-on-one penalty kick to make it 4-2, Northeast, with 22:14 to play.
Nicole Jenkins nearly made it 5-2 when her shot went off the post. No matter, Ivy Rawson broke loose for a 15-yard goal shot following a pass from Dannielle Smith. The goal with 17:14 left made it 5-2.
Just under six minutes later, Smith booted in the first of two goals in a two-minute span. The first came with 11:34 to play. Rawson had the assist. Rawson also helped make the pass on the second Smith goal with 9:03 left that made it 7-2.
Jenkins then scored with 7:45 left off an assist by Smith. Rawson scored the final Northeast goal giving her a full house, plus one, on the day with three goals and three assists.
West Lauderdale, who is in its first year with the girls program, made an impression on Rawson.
As for her big day, Rawson said she just needed to be sharper around the goal.
West head coach Bud Brown was happy with his team's effort.
Jenkins scored Northeast's first goal of the day off a Rawson assist.
West answered with Birmingham scoring to make it 1-1.
Smith had a chance to break the tie late in the half, but the keeper got a hand on the ball and the rebound was sent too high.
With 30:10 left in the game, Rawson scored on a five-yard chip in set up by a nice cross kick from Smith.
Gavin then made a high, 25-yard penalty kickm to up the Northeast lead to 3-2.
West Lauderdale boys 4
Northeast 0
West Lauderdale, the defending South 1-3A Champs and three-time runnerup, blanked Northeast 4-0 in Saturday's boys game.
West Lauderdale moves to 11-2-1 on the season. C. Jay Fountain scored the eventual game-winner in the 35th minute of the half. He added another goal to give him two for the day, Anthony Thomas had a goal and two assists.
Northeast Lauderdale girls 4
West Jones 0
In Friday night action in Soso, Northeast went to 3-0 in division play by beating West Jones 4-0.
Capri Norris scored two goals. Danni Smith had one and Melissa Brents had the other.
In the boys game, Northeast fell in the final two minutes on a goal by the Mustangs that made it 2-1. David Williams of the Trojans tied the game at 1-1 on a penalty kick.
