The Cardinals girls soccer team knocked off some rust and found the back of the net in the second half while keeping a clean sheet to knock off Leavenworth Monday night.
Ten seniors started for the Cardinals and were recognized before the match: Addison Metcalf, Jayla Erpelding, Lauren Grauberger, Kyleigh Musick, Madison Woodruff, Natalynn Tuckness, Harper Andrews, Caitlyn Peterson, Olivia Lawhorn and Xin Clobes.
“This is probably close to my last few games,” Grauberger said. “And I just wanted to make sure that I gave it my all every single time when I step on the field.”
Head coach Darren Erpelding said the large group of seniors has helped the Cardinals soccer team reach the next level as a program.
“They’ve really kind of turned the corner for us,” he said. “We play a tough schedule. And they come out and compete every single night, and they’ve gotten better every single time we play. Their attitudes are always great. They pick each other up. They play for each other. And they’re just a joy to be around. They’re really all good kids.”
Both teams were scoreless in the first half. The Cardinals hadn’t played a game in nearly two weeks and struggled to finish chances and find the back of the net early.
“It was a little rough at the beginning, but we were able to pull through during the second half,” Clobes said. “It was very physical. But we were able to get the win.”
Freshman Payton Chappelle started the scoring, tapping a ball home after good attacking from freshman Kambrea Kerr and an assist from Jayla Erpelding. It was Erpelding who scored the second goal for the Cardinals, with solid dribbling to get around a few defenders and send the ball into the back of the net.
Grauberger said it was hard for the Cardinals to find their footing on the attack. After finally scoring a goal, they felt in control.
“They were just so physical that we had a hard time breaking through,” Grauberger said. “And also, their goalie was a big, like, wall that we had to definitely get through. And once we made that break, we did pretty well.”
Strong defense was key for the Cardinals, who were able to keep Leavenworth from scoring all night. Sophomore goalkeeper Abby Fager brought some late-game heroics, punching a high ball heading toward the goal away from danger.
It was one of a handful of saves on the night, a performance that Erpelding credited to Fager’s improvement.
“Earlier in the season, that goes in,” he said. “I mean it does. And so her making that save is huge for her confidence, knowing that she can get to that ball.”
A tough backline helped keep trouble away from the Cardinals’ net and ensure they were on the attack for much of the night.
“Backline was great,” Erpelding said. “Sometimes it got a little out of whack, but other than that, they did a great job covering up for each other, clearing balls out, playing physical.”
It was a physical game from start to finish with players crashing into each other and hitting the ground fighting for possession. The Cardinals worked to keep possession and avoid congested areas to stay on the offensive.
“We had the ball for most of the game,” Clobes said, “We just had to be able to communicate with our teammates and move the ball where the other team was not.”
The team has a handful of games left before it will begin the postseason. For the seniors, it’s all about soaking in their last few matches together.
“I think for most of us, we’ve all played all four years,” Clobes said. “And it’s just a really good way to make new friends and make memories.”
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
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