Kershaw, HPCA boot Rabun Gap
HIGH POINT — High Point Christian Academy used a strong first half to continue its strong early-season play.
The Cougars scored in the 18th minute on a goal by Kami Kershaw and held off Rabun Gap-Nacoochee for a 1-0 victory in nonconference NCISAA girls soccer Saturday at the High Point Athletic Complex’s Correll-Morris Field.
“I thought the first half was really good,” HPCA coach Austin Beck said. “We were knocking the ball around a bit and kept possession well. In the second half, we dropped off a bit and had to put a little more focus on defending. But that’s respect to them – they really pushed high and put pressure on us. But, overall, it was a decent win.
“I think in the first half we just moved the ball quickly. We put an emphasis on possession. We were taking advantage of our speed on the wings, and that was helping us get forward and create chances. Kami was in the right place at the right time to put a nice goal in.”
The Cougars (5-1-1) controlled much of the fi rst-half action and created a handful of chances. Theyfinally broke through when Pryce Martin, running along the right side, sent a pass into the box and through McKenzie Mathis, who may’ve gotten a small piece of the ball as she tried to flick it behind her. The ball found Kershaw in front for the goal with 22:45left in the half.
“We really played selfl ess,” said Kershaw, a sophomore forward/midfielder, of the first half. “And we were able to pick our heads up and play to feet, and that really opened up the field.
“Pryce just had a really great cross, and McKenzie was able to get a piece of it and flick it back,” she said, describing the lone goal of the game. “I was just in the right place and was able to volley it in.”
The Eagles (0-6), however,adjusted at halftime and shifted play more toward their offensive side in the second half. They even netted a shot in the 86th minute, but it was called offsides and HPCA — which finished with a 9-5 nadvantage in shots, including 7-0 in the fi rst — held on for the win.
Braley Dula made two stops in goal for the Cougars, who open PACIS 3A play against rival Wesleyan Christian on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Complex before visiting NCHSAA 4A foe Southwest Guilford on Friday.
“Overal l , it ’s coming together,” Beck said. “We’ve had some good tests. North Raleigh was a good test —we got a late win there. And Asheville Christian was a good test. Even though we came out as the losing team,we did some good things and they put some pressure on us, which was good to haveout of conference early in the season.
“So, I do think that things are coming together. They’re not quite where they need to be yet, but I think they’re trending in the right direction
HIGH POINT — High Point Christian Academy used a strong first half to continue its strong early-season play.
The Cougars scored in the 18th minute on a goal by Kami Kershaw and held off Rabun Gap-Nacoochee for a 1-0 victory in nonconference NCISAA girls soccer Saturday at the High Point Athletic Complex’s Correll-Morris Field.
“I thought the first half was really good,” HPCA coach Austin Beck said. “We were knocking the ball around a bit and kept possession well. In the second half, we dropped off a bit and had to put a little more focus on defending. But that’s respect to them – they really pushed high and put pressure on us. But, overall, it was a decent win.
“I think in the first half we just moved the ball quickly. We put an emphasis on possession. We were taking advantage of our speed on the wings, and that was helping us get forward and create chances. Kami was in the right place at the right time to put a nice goal in.”
The Cougars (5-1-1) controlled much of the fi rst-half action and created a handful of chances. Theyfinally broke through when Pryce Martin, running along the right side, sent a pass into the box and through McKenzie Mathis, who may’ve gotten a small piece of the ball as she tried to flick it behind her. The ball found Kershaw in front for the goal with 22:45left in the half.
“We really played selfl ess,” said Kershaw, a sophomore forward/midfielder, of the first half. “And we were able to pick our heads up and play to feet, and that really opened up the field.
“Pryce just had a really great cross, and McKenzie was able to get a piece of it and flick it back,” she said, describing the lone goal of the game. “I was just in the right place and was able to volley it in.”
The Eagles (0-6), however,adjusted at halftime and shifted play more toward their offensive side in the second half. They even netted a shot in the 86th minute, but it was called offsides and HPCA — which finished with a 9-5 nadvantage in shots, including 7-0 in the fi rst — held on for the win.
Braley Dula made two stops in goal for the Cougars, who open PACIS 3A play against rival Wesleyan Christian on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Complex before visiting NCHSAA 4A foe Southwest Guilford on Friday.
“Overal l , it ’s coming together,” Beck said. “We’ve had some good tests. North Raleigh was a good test —we got a late win there. And Asheville Christian was a good test. Even though we came out as the losing team,we did some good things and they put some pressure on us, which was good to haveout of conference early in the season.
“So, I do think that things are coming together. They’re not quite where they need to be yet, but I think they’re trending in the right direction
