GIRLS SOCCER: Cougars’ surge ousts Chargers
By Nathan Warters, The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The Cougars unveiled a more aggressive approach Thursday in the Conference 22 championship game and came away with a convincing
4-0 win over rival Chancellor.
Courtland wasn't eager to share all the secrets of its new formation, but the intent of the changes was clear--the Cougars want to flood the offensive zone with its array of weapons.
"We just had the urge to go out there and kill the ball all day," Cougars sophomore Amia Canada said.
The plan worked to near perfection against the Chargers, who had gone 12 straight games without a loss. Four different players scored goals for the Cougars--Kayla Locklear,
Newly crowned conference player of the year
"The girls have had a difficult time offensively lately, and just over the last couple of games they started to change it around," Cougars coach
Both teams advance to play Monday at
"There are no more easy games," Chancellor coach
The Cougars were easily motivated for their rematch with the Chargers, who handed their rivals their only blemish this season when they tied them 1-1 at Courtland back on
"We just went in there saying that's unacceptable this time,"
The Cougars, who beat the Chargers, 7-1, in their first meeting this season but couldn't seem to generate much offense in the second matchup, were on the offensive from the opening whistle in the rubber match.
"It really wasn't a whole lot different from the last game, other than the scoreboard," Berry said. "We finished more of our shots this time."
Locklear looped a shot over the head of Chancellor's goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute, and Wallace tapped a shot in from close range for a 2-0 advantage 10 minutes later.
A 2-0 lead is money in the bank for the Cougars, who have yielded five goals all season and never more than one in a single game, but they didn't let up.
The second half saw several offensive chances for Courtland. Robertson upped the lead to 3-0 in the 55th minute, and McBroom added an insurance goal as time wound down.
"I feel like offensively we came together more, and we played off each other and really connected," McBroom said.
The offensive breakout was a welcome sign for the Cougars, who weren't working with the same efficiency in practice Wednesday. They got it right when it counted, though.
"Everybody was confused in practice, but tonight, I don't even know what happened," Robertson said. "It just perfectly fell into place."
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