Rogers overtakes Springfield Kickapoo
Last updated Thursday, March 22, 2007 11:02 PM CDT in Sports
By Josh Tinker
Special to the Morning News
ROGERS--Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo just couldn't match the fitness level of the Rogers Lady Mounties.
Playing their first match of the season because of a Missouri rule that didn't allow them to play until Monday, Rogers blanked Kickapoo 2-0 in girls prep soccer Thursday.
Rogers (9-2) took advantage in the second half, scoring two goals in a span of two minutes, 29 seconds to take the victory.
"We felt at the end of the first half that our fitness was ahead of theirs," Rogers coach Chris Leshinski said. "We wanted to keep moving the ball around and try to wear them out."
Rogers broke free in the 47th minute when Amelia Wildenborg looped a shot from 25 yards out for what proved to be the game winner.
The Lady Mounties scored again 2:29 later when Sara Frankel stole a pass, juked a defender in the attacking third, and beat Kickapoo keeper Jessica McCutcheon to the left corner for the score.
Despite the loss, Kickapoo coach Tom Davidson was pleased with the way his team played.
"We played great," Davidson said. "I look down the roster, and I see one senior and four juniors. The rest are sophomores and freshman. Entering the game, I had six kids that had never stepped foot on a varsity field.
"That first goal hurt us. With young kids, it's psychological.Probably the difference was they had 13 seniors on their roster, and I had one on mine."
Rogers took 17 shots on goal. McCutcheon had 10 saves for the Lady Chiefs.
"She's a solid goal-keeper," Davidson said. "She's been playing in our goal since she was a ninth grader. Nothing scares her."
Rogers will take next week off for spring break, and will return to action on April 3 at home against Springdale in 7A- West conference play.
Prep Soccer
Nonconference
Girls
Rogers 2, Springfield, Mo., Kickapoo 0
Rogers 0 2 -- 2
Kickapoo 0 0 -- 0
Second half
Rog: Wildenborg (47th minute)
Rog: Frankel (50th minute)
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