Perry moves to 3-1 with win over Riverside

Freshman Jordan Rowan netted a brace as Perry blanked the host Beavers, 3-0, and moved to 3-1 on a young campaign. The Pirates recorded eight shots on target.

The rapidity with which Rich Stavar responded says a great deal about what Perry hopes to accomplish as a side in 2021.

After many of the lean years in the 2010s and a 2020 that had progress from a won-lost standpoint but lacked a signature match result, the longtime Pirates coach was asked how hungry a senior-laden side is to improve in the latter regard.

“Starving,” Stavar said matter-of-factly.

Performances such as the one Aug. 26 at Riverside will go an encouraging way toward satisfying that hunger.

Freshman Jordan Rowan netted a brace as Perry blanked the host Beavers, 3-0, and moved to 3-1 on a young campaign.

The Pirates recorded eight shots on target and displayed a brand of midfield assertion that hasn’t been seen to this extent with this side in recent memory.

“They played great tonight,” Stavar said. “They played great. I think the midfield played great. I thought the defensive three played great. I thought everyone did a great job tonight.”

Marcela Rodriguez got Perry off the mark in the fifth minute, slotting a right-footed finish from a tight angle.

The Pirates were confident and physical in midfield and were timely with wide play in the natural flow of attack, but their latter two goals came off similar restarts.

Rowan, a versatile ninthgrader who also showed some nice work playing in front of her backline essentially in a holding mid role at junctures, slotted a pair of lovely near-post finishes off throw-ins in the 25th and 71st minutes for the final margin.

“I just saw the ball coming in, no one was there and put it in,” Rowan said.

“I think it was good. I think we played as a team. It wasn’t an individual effort. We all got it together. We all won it for each other.”

It appeared the Beavers (1-1) had an equalizer in the seventh off a set piece with Jayda White serving to the edge of the six for Lila Alban. But officials conferred, cited goalkeeper interference and the match stayed, 1-0.

Riverside had some encouraging stretches of combo play through midfield to the edge of the offensive third, but lacked end product with service and dangerous off-ball runs.

With a predominantly young side, though, Beavers coach David Shook is hopeful better fortune is ahead.

“It’s progress, and there’s those little bits,” Shook said. “It’s just a young squad, and we’re making the progress that we need to. We’re starting to put it together.

“Perry, they have a good team, and they played well defensively. Their defenders were on top of us. We had little room to turn. We had to combine to get to those attacking areas. We’re just putting it together.”