Lady Devils edge past E-Gals; AHS boys fall at home

August 21, 2019 | 12:51 am

Updated August 21, 2019 | 2:43 am

It was tight all the way, but Owensboro beat Apollo 1-0 in Tuesday's 9th District girls' soccer game. | Photo by Ryan Richardson

In a match that was fairly even from the opening kick, a late goal by Natalie LaMar was enough to lift Owensboro to a 1-0 victory at home in Tuesday’s 9th District girls’ soccer matchup.

LaMar booted it in from just in front of the goal — scoring directly off a corner kick by Ella Grace Mays with 15:25 to play — and the Lady Devils (1-2, 1-1 9th District) held on for their first win. First-year head coach Michael Lovett said the play is a set piece the team works on multiple times a week.

“It was executed with perfection,” he said. “We always say we don’t care who scores as long as we score, and the most unlikely of people scored. It didn’t matter, Owensboro was up 1-0.”
————————
For a full photo gallery from the game, click here.
————————
Lovett said it was the first time this season his team has played well from start to finish, though they’ve improved with each game.

“I wish it could have generated more goals, but the fact that it generated the one that won is the most important part,” he said. “We started out the first of the year a little bit sloppy, a little bit timid. But the last couple of games we’ve gained our confidence. We’re really starting to get more of a winner’s mentality, and it’s showing.”

Freshman goalkeeper Chandler Worth finished with two saves. One came on a free kick for Apollo early in the game, when Worth had to jump and deflect the shot — stopping the best look the E-Gals had all night.

Though they still haven’t picked up a win, Apollo (0-4, 0-2) played in their closest game so far. First-year head coach Dave Woeste said despite being outscored 30-0 in the first three contests, his players are still working to get better.

“I’m really impressed with our youth,” he said. “We could have just said after three games, we’ve got 30 goals on us, and they could have just quit on me. They’re not — they’re fighting harder today than they were when we started the season, and that’s a good thing.”

Woeste said they missed a few scoring opportunities, including the free kick, but he was especially proud of Apollo for limiting the Lady Devils to one goal. He also pointed out the performance of freshman goalkeeper Jo Hutchison — who returned to make three saves after missing a couple of games.

“I thought there could have been a couple chances, but for the most part (Owensboro) had most of the shots on goal,” he said. “Our freshman goalkeeper played very, very tenacious. In every game she just gets better and better.”

Apollo is off until Friday, when they face Murray at 9 a.m. in the Lady Dragons Classic hosted at Warren Central. Owensboro is back in action Thursday with a 7 p.m. contest at Muhlenberg County.

Lovett said after finally posting a win, the Lady Devils have a huge monkey off their back.

“Now we can breath and look forward to really focusing on the season,” he said. “That’s the toughest part of any season. You get that first win under your belt and you can start looking forward to opponents. But when you don’t, then you’re anxious every game. That anxiety part is gone and now we can focus on playing soccer.”


EAGLES SHUT OUT IN HOME MATCH
The Apollo (1-3) boys fell behind when Henderson County (1-1-2) scored a goal within the first two minutes. The Colonels led 3-0 at the half and added two more goals in the second period.
————————
For a full photo gallery from the game, click here.
————————
The Eagles are back in action at 7 p.m. Wednesday in a 9th District game at Owensboro Catholic.

Stay up to date on all your local sports coverage by following @OwensboroSports on Twitter and by liking us on Facebook.
__________
2019 soccer coverage is presented by Worth Insurance Group. 

August 21, 2019 | 12:51 am

Share this Article

Other articles you may like