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Franklin
Monroe senior Jenna King takes a shot at the goal Thursday
against National Trail. The Lady Jets
picked up their season opening
win, 3-0 in a CCC game with the Blazers. CNO Photo by George Starks
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Trail hangs
tough but Lady Jets soar
By George Starks
PITSBURG- It was opening night for the Franklin Monroe Lady Jets soccer
team and the Jets did not disappoint the home crowd.
In a hard fought Cross County Conference contest, the Jets soared to a
3-0 victory over National Trail Thursday.
“We had great weather and both teams had a great effort,” said Lady
Jets coach Scott Howell. “
Trail played with a lot of heart in the second half. I thought they
played real strong the first 20 minutes and if we were at their place
it might have been a different story.”
Franklin Monroe got the eventual game winner at the 31:56 mark of the
opening half off a header from senior Allyson Flora getting the early
1-0 lead.
Senior Jordan Stickley picked up a little insurance with 1:19 left in
the half, giving the Jets a 2-0 advantage.
With 23:22 left in the contest, Stickley nailed her second goal of the
game, helping to preserve the conference victory.
“Jordy’s had some bad luck let’s say and it was nice to see her score
two,” said Howell. “I think that her curing over the last four years
allowed her to come a long way. We were constantly on the attack and
switching in transition and when we can get possession, that’s our
number one thing. I thought our speed up top was good so I think we are
coming along well. We have a senior that’s on the sideline with a
concussion and when she comes back, she will help our defense to speed
up.”
With the seniors doing the damage on offense, it was the Jets ability
to control the ball that seemed to frustrate the Lady Blazers.
“We are young and to be able to pass on this field is all we do,”
Howell stated. “We practice the fundamentals and basics are the name of
the game for us by far. They probably get bored with the fundamentals
but that’s all we teach them.”
Even though Howell felt the defense was a little slow at times. It was
defense that made the difference. Holding the Blazers to only three
shots on goal, the defense set the table for the offense and the
ability to have the ball control for nearly 60 of the 80 minutes of the
match.
“Most of their shots came from 35 to 40 yards out and that tells me the
defense was doing its job,” said Howell. “Freshman Nychelle Cool on the
outside had a tremendous first game. She still has lots of room for
improvement and we talked about that after the game. Cassie
(Shellabarger) on the other side was outstanding. I would like to see
her in the middle but this is where she wants to play but you have to
give all the props to the defense today.”
Now 1-0 on the season, the Lady Jets will host Greenon today in a 1 pm
start.
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