Shutout for Lady Devils
Model’s girls open the Class AA state playoffs with a solid victory.
Model’s girls open the Class AA state playoffs with a win.
Testing a team’s depth in the postseason can be a nervous and anxiety-filled process for a coach and the program’s fans.
Model’s girls’ soccer team isn’t having that issue.
Its players have had to step up from the opening kick of the season, and they hope that drive will take them through the Class AA state playoffs undefeated.
Hosting Temple in Shannon on Tuesday, Model’s Lady Devils pressed from the outset and took a 10-0 win in the first round of the playoffs. Jennifer Espinoza made her third goal of the day 14 minutes into the second half to end the game based on the mercy rule.
“I think we worked together really well and connected passes better than we have this season. Our defense talked to each other and kept it together back there,” Model coach Kacie Crowder said.
The victory was the most recent contest where Model has had to go without at least one of
its usual starters, and yet the Lady Devils have rolled to a Region 7-AA title and are now ranked fifth in Class AA according to EurosportScoreboard. com. Kyla Reynolds was forced to sit out Tuesday as she recovers from a head injury.
“The girls have really stepped up without her, but we’ll be really happy to have her back,” said Crowder, who added Reynolds could return by May 2 when Model will host either Dodge County or Thomasville in the second round of the playoffs.
Both Espinoza and Anna Ruth Parker finished with a hat trick Tuesday, while Libby Upton scored the last two goals of the first half to make it 6-0. Alissa Clark and Kendall Watkins each scored a goal, and Shay McGill had two assists. Model (15-3) outshot the visiting Lady Tigers 151, controlling possession for the majority of the match.
It was a usual performance for the home team, but Crowder said she has reminded her players that they can’t expect the remaining contests to go in a similar fashion.
“We’ve had a really successful season, and I don’t want them to go into the playoffs thinking that there isn’t going to be any competition,” Crowder said. “It’s just going to get harder from here, and we have to watch the simple mistakes.”
Parker raised Model’s energy level after she booted a 30-yard free kick over the top of Temple’s keeper in the 15th minute. She then made a similar shot two minutes later, this time in-game and just inches above the keeper, to make it 4-0. Crowder said both Parker and Espinoza have developed into top players for the team this season.
“They control the ball really well, and they do a good job of getting in position to receive the ball and knowing where to put it,” Crowder said. “Anna Ruth is really good at taking those 30yard shots and nailing them, so we hope that can continue as we get further into the postseason.”
Model continued to take advantage of Temple’s miscues in the second half, converting two of three penalty kicks in just 11 minutes of play. The final goal was a deflected ball off the top of the
goal that came down in front of Espinoza, who then punted the ball into the back of the net.