Nance’s 4 goals propel Lady Lions into semis
Chanceley Book has the shutout in goal.
After finishing first in their region for the third year in a row, the Unity Christian girls’ soccer team is hoping to use their momentum to capture a state title. One down, two to go. With freshman Mary Nance locking into the net with four goals in the game, the Lady Lions shut out Lafayette Christian 6-0 at Grizzard Park on Thursday in the opening round of the GICAA Division II-A state playoffs.
But while Unity has continued to find a good share of success this season, losing just one game, head coach Stephanie Masters said the team has been constantly changing.
“This team is a different team than they were a week ago, two weeks ago. They have steadily been improving as the season has gone on in the way they work together and their team shape,” Masters said.
“Every player has improved their skills at their position and understand better how they fit on the team, and I think they truly showed that in today’s game.”
Nance was a constant throughout the match for Unity, wasting little time in putting the Lady Lions on the board with a goal off an Amanda Okubo pass in the fourth minute.
The duo hooked up again in the 10th and 45th minute. Nance played one off unassisted in the 46th minute after being pushed to the right side of the box and sending a cross kick into the net.
“She’s been one of our top scorers all season, and she has really perfected her final touch before a goal,” Masters said of Nance.
Tori Eddins added a goal in the 28th minute, while Jacquelyn Groux scored on an Okubo assist in the 52nd minute. The ball would continue to mostly stay on Lafayette’s side of the field, but Unity had wrapped up scoring with a 6-0 lead.
Chanceley Book, the Lady Lions’ sophomore goalkeeper, had a mostly quiet evening in goal while recording two saves, but the match was her ninth shutout of the season.
Unity will host a semifinal match Tuesday at 6 p.m. against either Harvester Christian or Lanier Christian. Lanier handed Unity its only loss of the season earlier this year.
In other action Thursday:
CLASS AA STATE PLAYOFFS Wesleyan boys 7, Coosa 1
Facing the top-ranked team in Class AA, the Coosa Eagles took on Wesleyan on the road and came up short in the 7-1 loss in the first round of the state playoffs.
Ethan Bartlett scored with 12 minutes left off of a deflected shot by Jose Vazquez that came from about 45 yards out to put the Eagles on the board.
Starting Coosa keeper Juan Cornejo had 16 saves in the first half while senior Dakota Garrett had nine after coming in to start the second half. Orlando Pizanno had six saves to finish the game.
The match was the last for head coach Randy Vice, who returned after a two-year absence to lead the team for one more season following his retirement in 2014.
“It has been a privilege coaching these seniors and I’m sure the future will be bright for this program,” Vice said, adding that he was proud how the team fought back to make the playoffs.
Besides Garrett, the other seniors on the team include Fabian Lopez, Marvin Domingo, Mason Driggers, Oscar Zacarias and Jonathon Mayes.
Wesleyan girls 11, Model 1
Kyla Reynolds scored Model’s lone goal midway through the first half and the Lady Blue Devils fell 11-1 at Wesleyan on Thursday.
The host Lady Wolves led 3-1 at halftime and went on the dominate the second half.
“We just kind of lost our momentum after halftime, and Wesleyan came out stronger,” Model coach Kacie Crowder said.
Allie McDermont had 18 saves in goal for Model and is one of seven seniors on the team. Melanie Morrison had seven saves in the second half.
“We’re losing seven seniors who are pretty essential players for us, but we have a lot of girls coming up from eighth grade, so I think we have a good future to look forward to,” Crowder said.
Model finishes the season with a 106 record.