|
|
|
Independence, MO —
The Van Horn girls’ Class 2 District 14 soccer title repeat Wednesday bore little resemblance to the Falcons’ championship a year ago.
And not just because Van Horn’s centerpiece is a 6-foot exchange student scoring dynamo.
Camilla Neumann had four goals to pace the Falcons’ 6-0 win at home over top-seeded Lincoln Prep, which came in with a 17-4 record and had split a pair of regular-season meetings with the Falcons, but clearly was outclassed Wednesday.
“It’s a totally different team from last year,” said Van Horn coach Chris Corrie, whose team improved to 10-11 and had beaten the Blue Tigers 1-0 in last year’s district final. “This win had a different feel from last year. Fitness was big today with it being hot, and we really dominated in that.
“We passed the ball really well today, just shredded their midfield.”
While Neumann had plenty of moments where she danced through and around helpless Lincoln Prep defenders, the first goal came from Stephanie Smith, who intercepted a pass near the back line and converted in the 14th minute.
“It feels great to come out and show we’re ready to mean business,” Smith said. “We were on our feet ready to play.”
Neumann struck for the first time in the 30th minute, taking a give-and-go and going nearly 30 yards through the defense for an easy score. A shorter run had the same result in the 36th minute for a 3-0 lead.
“Our passes were really good, and our defense played great,” said Neumann who netted 10 goals in two district games and now has 37 this season.
Said Corrie: “Millitron (Neumann’s nickname), she’s obviously unplayable when she’s in the mood. Sometimes she has some stretches where she plays down to the competition, but today she dominated even in the end.”
The Falcons made it 4-0 after a corner-kick chance in the 38th, as Diana Cruz’s crossing pass was deflected toward the goal, and a Lincoln defender’s kickout attempt hit the post and bounced on the wrong side of the line.
Neumann’s second-half goals came on a 30-yard breakaway run in the 46th and a 20-yard rocket in the 79th.
Meanwhile, the Falcons’ defense cleaned up any threat Lincoln mounted. Goalkeeper Dalanie Krogman had to make just four saves.
Van Horn put 11 shots on goal.
“Defense was great,” Corrie said. “The back four was outstanding. Our shape was good. If one girl missed another girl was there to protect her.”
Van Horn will host its sectional game Tuesday against the District 13 winner. Notre Dame de Sion and Grain Valley won Wednesday and will meet Friday for that title.
The Van Horn girls’ Class 2 District 14 soccer title repeat Wednesday bore little resemblance to the Falcons’ championship a year ago.
And not just because Van Horn’s centerpiece is a 6-foot exchange student scoring dynamo.
Camilla Neumann had four goals to pace the Falcons’ 6-0 win at home over top-seeded Lincoln Prep, which came in with a 17-4 record and had split a pair of regular-season meetings with the Falcons, but clearly was outclassed Wednesday.
“It’s a totally different team from last year,” said Van Horn coach Chris Corrie, whose team improved to 10-11 and had beaten the Blue Tigers 1-0 in last year’s district final. “This win had a different feel from last year. Fitness was big today with it being hot, and we really dominated in that.
“We passed the ball really well today, just shredded their midfield.”
While Neumann had plenty of moments where she danced through and around helpless Lincoln Prep defenders, the first goal came from Stephanie Smith, who intercepted a pass near the back line and converted in the 14th minute.
“It feels great to come out and show we’re ready to mean business,” Smith said. “We were on our feet ready to play.”
Neumann struck for the first time in the 30th minute, taking a give-and-go and going nearly 30 yards through the defense for an easy score. A shorter run had the same result in the 36th minute for a 3-0 lead.
“Our passes were really good, and our defense played great,” said Neumann who netted 10 goals in two district games and now has 37 this season.
Said Corrie: “Millitron (Neumann’s nickname), she’s obviously unplayable when she’s in the mood. Sometimes she has some stretches where she plays down to the competition, but today she dominated even in the end.”
The Falcons made it 4-0 after a corner-kick chance in the 38th, as Diana Cruz’s crossing pass was deflected toward the goal, and a Lincoln defender’s kickout attempt hit the post and bounced on the wrong side of the line.
Neumann’s second-half goals came on a 30-yard breakaway run in the 46th and a 20-yard rocket in the 79th.
Meanwhile, the Falcons’ defense cleaned up any threat Lincoln mounted. Goalkeeper Dalanie Krogman had to make just four saves.
Van Horn put 11 shots on goal.
“Defense was great,” Corrie said. “The back four was outstanding. Our shape was good. If one girl missed another girl was there to protect her.”
Van Horn will host its sectional game Tuesday against the District 13 winner. Notre Dame de Sion and Grain Valley won Wednesday and will meet Friday for that title.
