Pioneers blank

Freedom 3-0
By Bryan Lail
Special to the Democrat

Watauga’s girls’ soccer team rolled to another shutout victory Friday night, beating the Freedom Patriots 3-0.

It would be the visiting Pioneers’ fifth shut out win in their last seven contests, as well as their sixth win in the same number.

What was to be a night of women’s soccer began as a simple game of keep away, as both teams jockeyed for position at midfield throughout much of the first half. Watauga led the majority of the few offensive drives in the period, attempting to set up midfield assists that were made difficult by the clogging interior defense of the Patriots around their goal.

The Patriots managed to keep the normally potent Pioneers offense limited to the sideline while breaking up several set up attempts towards midfield. Quickness to the ball and the sheer number of shot attempts by Watauga early also held the Patriots in check, limiting them to the role of a solely defensive squad throughout the first half.

Watauga goalkeeper Sarah Caldwell made an acrobatic play at the goal to break up one of the few shots Freedom took in the first half, leaping high over two Patriots to break up what would have been an easy tap in for the Patriots.

Several advances by the Pioneers around the box were broken up by the staunch Patriot defense. Undeterred, their ineffectiveness around the goal led Watauga to attempt a number of close but unsuccessful long-range shot attempts, several by Lucy Binning and Macy Johnson.

“We have that ability, as long as we have open shots we will continue to take those,” Pioneers coach Doug Kidd said.

The Pioneers finally broke through as the first half came to a close. Binning jumped in front of an awaiting Patriot and then managed to head tap the ball towards Layla Jones. Already in position in front of the net, Jones, with a nice assist from Tiffany Dickens, was able to tap the ball in just as the first half horn sounded.

Kidd’s philosophy of keeping the pressure on the Patriots paid dividends as the second half began. Johnson’s advance in front of the Patriots’ goal drew several Freedom defenders to the speedy senior.

Austin Williamson’s was able to take advantage by scoring from the corner of the field, giving the Pioneers a 2-0 lead.

“It’s important to get out in the second half and find that second or third goal quickly,” Kidd said.

Finding themselves down 2-0 early in the second period, the Patriots managed to conjure some of the energy they had lacked throughout the first half and much of the second. Freedom mounted several strong offensive drives, cutting through the middle of the field for open shots while avoiding the Pioneer defense with newfound teamwork as well as quick footwork.

“Freedom is a dangerous team, they have that ability to come back. If Sarah doesn’t make those saves for us it’s a different ball game,” Kidd said.

A struggle in the corner between Binning and a Freedom defender led to a side kick for the Pioneers.

Binning, with a perfectly placed kick towards the net, hit Ashlyn Baird for a high tap, which put Watauga up 3-0.

Watauga plays at McDowell Tuesday. The Pioneers lost to the Titans 1-0 at Jack Groce Stadium on March 13.