Erie cruises by Fort Collins
Tigers move to 4-1 on the season with win
ERIE >> The name of the game for Thursday’s girls soccer match at Erie was pressure, and the host Tigers sure did load up on it against Fort Collins.
The Lambkins were unable to hold up against the weight, leading to a 4-1 Erie win in an early Front Range League matchup.
From the opening minutes, there was no shortage of drama as the first half had everything from flying yellow cards to goals to last-minute saves. An early collision between EHS forward Nonso Uwalaka and the Fort Collins goalkeeper resulted in a card, leaving the Tigers (4-1, 2-0 FRL) in a prime position to take a lead. Ella Jimenez converted the penalty kick, bringing the score to 1-0.
“I think it really picks up the whole team’s heads once we start getting them in,” Erie junior forward Claire Rowberry said. “Everyone gets more energized and it’s a rush of adrenaline.”
Just minutes later — with adrenaline still high — Erie sent another ball rolling past the Lambkins’ goalkeeper after she found herself unable to maintain possession of the ball. But Fort Collins (2-1, 0-1) wasn’t ready to give in just yet.
Another collision inside the penalty box, this time on the other side of the pitch, left the Lambkins with their own penalty kick chance, which proved successful to make it 2-1.
Only a couple minutes later, Jimenez was the shooter for yet another penalty kick, and she once again launched into the back of the net.
More fluid play in the second half resulted in another Erie goal, while the Tigers managed to keep Fort Collins from scoring again.
Freshman Elodie Kirchoffner’s speed proved too much for the Lambkins defense, who tried unsuccessfully to catch her. While all of their efforts were focused on the back of Kirchoffner’s jersey another Tigers player made their move, as Rowberry found herself unmanned right in front of an open goal.
Rowberry called for the ball, and Kirchoffner dutifully responded with a pass flying to the middle of the box. Rowberry was fully ready to make the on-target pass count. Having spent the entire game breaking away from the Lambkins defense but being unsuccessful in her attempts to score, Kirchoffner was relieved to see the ball go in.
“I was just glad to see one of my breakaway balls go in for once,” Kirchoffner said, laughingly.
For head coach Jeff Vigil, the play is an indication that his girls are starting to come together as a team.
“Even though we’re not able to train together too often, they’re all capable,” Vigil said. “They all know what to do and when to do it. It’s just a matter of them believing. I think they got a taste of it and now they’re starting to believe in each other.
“When you’re going through your first season together, it’s easier to protect yourself than be vulnerable by pumping yourself up, and they’re gradually starting to do that,” Vigil said. “It’s allowing them to see them for what they are and believe in each other. It’s so fun to watch when they do that.”