EAST LIVERPOOL - The Raiders spoiled Senior Day for the Potters.
The South Range girls soccer team scored two goals in the second half en route to a 2-0 victory over East Liverpool Saturday at Patterson Field.
"That's the way things go," East Liverpool (3-6-3) head coach Mike McDougle said. "Our defense played really tough, but it is just one of those things. We are still struggling a little on the offensive end of the ball. Like I said earlier in the season, we get that figured out, we are going to be hard to beat.
Article Photos
East Liverpool’s Alex Cunningham kicks the ball down the field as South Range’s Abbey Ausnehmer defends during their game Saturday at Patterson Field. Also pictured are East Liverpool’s Nicole Talbott (4) and Kaitlyn Diddle (9) and South Range’s Emily Meals (1). (Photo by Aaron Petchal)
"South Range, they are a good team.
"I'm proud of the way my girls played today."
Abbey Ausnehmer and Ellen Downie each scored goals for the Raiders (10-1). Emily Meals added an assist. Goalie Kristin Robinson made three saves.
"We have been struggling more on the attack than we have on defense in terms of coming out real flat in terms of our attackers, our center mids staying flat and not getting a lot of shape when they attack, and then missing goals," South Range head coach Bill Coler said. "The girls have been playing really well. I am proud of them, considering this is our fourth year in, and we have only lost one so far this season, so the girls have been playing real well. I am proud of them."
Ausnehmer and Downie each had shots hit off of the post in the first half, and Ausnehmer also sailed a shot over the top of the goal.
The Raiders outshot the Potters, 10-4. South Range had seven shots on goal, while East Liverpool had three.
East Liverpool goalie Sarah Boley, made three saves in the game. Boley also intercepted several crosses as well as a few passes and long balls from South Range.
"Today, I think they played a decent game," Coler said. "I don't think they played their best game of the season. I think East Liverpool has a nice team.
"The play was a little slow. I think the girls were a little sluggish, which Saturday morning seems to be a curse for us. They are a little slow on Saturday mornings, but I think all in all they played pretty well."
The Raiders kept the pressure on the Potters for a good bit of the game. East Liverpool took nine goal kicks in the game, while South Range took six. The Raiders took four corner kicks while the Potters only had one.
Ausnehmer scored putting South Range on the scoreboard more than 12 minutes into the second half.
Trailing 1-0, the Potters pushed forward in hopes of scoring the equalizer, however, Downie scored a much-needed insurance goal for the Raiders.
"Whether you lose by one, or you lose by 50, it is still a loss," McDougle said. "You have to take the chances."
East Liverpool lost two players due to injury in the game. Both of the girls had to be carried off the field. One of the injured players was senior midfielder Taryn Eastham.
"We'll see what the doctors say, but it does not look too promising right now," McDougle said about the injuries.
East Liverpool will play Thursday at Indian Creek.
