By: Becky Roa (June 2, 2004)

Sophomore goalie Alex Pender recorded another shut-out in last night’s Regional quarter-final 6-0 win over NelsonCounty. Within minutes of the start of the game, senior Becky Roa dribbled down the left side and slipped the ball to freshman Kaitlin Freeman inside the 18-yardline, Freeman was tripped and awarded a penalty kick But, it was freshman Katie Turner that took the kick and tallied the first goal of the game. 

The Mustangs continued to keep the ball in the attacking half by giving each other sharp passes and playing off of each other which, in turn, allowed for several on the frame shots and goals. Scoring in the first half were senior Alison Penland, who scored after rebounding Freeman’s deflected shot, sophomore Jessica Porzel who tripped up Nelson County’s last defender and slipped the ball past the goalie, and Roa had two; one set up by junior Rachel Sweeney and the other by running onto Penland’s serve inside the box.

Up 5-0, the Mustangs felt confident as Pender played a shooting forward and sophomore Katie Gordon went into the goal. Similar to the first half, the Mustangs kept possession of the ball for more than 80% of the game, but a near goal from one of Nelson’s forwards shook up the domineering Mustang defenders. Despite the slip up, the Mustangs held Nelson from shooting after that.

It was Rachel Sweeney who tallied the final goal of the game when she capitalized on a ball from Turner just inside the 18-yardline. “We played tonight’s game expecting everything from NelsonCounty because we knew nothing of them and I’m pleased with the way the girls responded,” said coach Clifford Carroll.

The girls will advance to the Regional semi-final round this Thursday night, June 4, against Buffalo Gap at BuffaloGapHigh School. A win in Thursday’s game will qualify the girls’ to go to the State tournament to be played at RadfordUniversity on June 11th and 12th.