Jackson strikes twice; Cyclones blank Tigers for fifth win
By Andrew Schnittker
aschnittker@wilsontimes.com | 252-265-7807 | Twitter: @aschnitt53
The Community Christian School girls soccer team didn’t need long to bounce back from a lopsided loss Monday night, as, behind a pair of goals from Abigail Jackson, the Cyclones picked up a 4-0 win over Wilson Prep on Tuesday.
The win over the Tigers, who dropped to 0-5 on the season, gives the Cyclones (5-3-1) two wins in their last three games, as CCS is starting to see dividends for all of its hard work.
“The girls have been putting in some really good work in practice,” said Community Christian head coach Carl Bradshaw. “It’s really starting to show on the field. I just ask them to give me 110% effort. They give a lot of effort. I just feel like what they’ve been working on so hard in practice is starting to come onto the field, and they see that happening and it makes them excited. It’s like they want to do it even more.”
While Wilson Prep has yet to enter the win column this year, Tuesday was a mark of improvement for the Tigers. Four goals is the fewest Wilson Prep has allowed this year, and it was the first time the Tigers have played a game to completion without being mercy-ruled.
“They’re improving,” said Wilson Prep head coach Mahlon Mills. “Our strikers just are not taking shots on goal. But I’ve seen the midfield improve, so we just need to work on the offense and taking more shots. A lot of the time, they’re just playing individual ball without passing it to each other. So we just need to work on that.”
In addition to Jackson’s pair of goals, Abril Ventura tallied a goal and an assist, and Loreli Ferguson also notched a goal for the Cyclones.
Taylor Ricks and Claire Carter combined for the shutout in goal, with Ricks making three saves and Carter two.
“We talked and we passed really well,” Jackson said. “We had a lot of communication on the field. We passed better than we ever have in this game.”
The Cyclones dominated possession throughout the game, and didn’t waste much time getting out to an early lead. Just 14 minutes in, Ferguson chipped in the rebound of a Ventura corner kick to make it 1-0.
About six minutes later, Jackson buried a shot from the top of the 18 to double the CCS lead.
“I think it helps our motivation and our mentality,” Jackson said. “I think when they score against us, we’re kind of down on ourselves, but when we score and get that lead, I think it motivates us to keep on going.”
The Cyclones continued to push throughout the game, and Jackson put them up 3-0 with a shot from inside the 6 with about 10 minutes left in the first half before Ventura capped the scoring with 7:44 to play.
“I think when we got off to that quick lead, it helps the whole flow of the game,” Bradshaw said. “And the good thing is, when you get off to a lead like that, you can play girls who might not normally play as much. And it’s always nice to be able to do that. ... I think anytime you can get a lead like that, keep good sportsmanship in that, but get a good lead, and I think it always helps.”
The Tigers will seek their first win of the season against Louisburg on Monday, April 4.
The Cyclones will look to keep their momentum going with a visit from Southside Christian on Tuesday, April 5.
“We started the season off, we’ve got a lot of younger girls playing,” Bradshaw said. “It was kind of trying to get the chemistry together. We have the chemistry together now. Like I said, they’re just giving a lot of effort. They’re believing in what we’re trying to do, so I believe we’re coming along very well. I’m very pleased with where we’re at.”
By Andrew Schnittker
aschnittker@wilsontimes.com | 252-265-7807 | Twitter: @aschnitt53
The Community Christian School girls soccer team didn’t need long to bounce back from a lopsided loss Monday night, as, behind a pair of goals from Abigail Jackson, the Cyclones picked up a 4-0 win over Wilson Prep on Tuesday.
The win over the Tigers, who dropped to 0-5 on the season, gives the Cyclones (5-3-1) two wins in their last three games, as CCS is starting to see dividends for all of its hard work.
“The girls have been putting in some really good work in practice,” said Community Christian head coach Carl Bradshaw. “It’s really starting to show on the field. I just ask them to give me 110% effort. They give a lot of effort. I just feel like what they’ve been working on so hard in practice is starting to come onto the field, and they see that happening and it makes them excited. It’s like they want to do it even more.”
While Wilson Prep has yet to enter the win column this year, Tuesday was a mark of improvement for the Tigers. Four goals is the fewest Wilson Prep has allowed this year, and it was the first time the Tigers have played a game to completion without being mercy-ruled.
“They’re improving,” said Wilson Prep head coach Mahlon Mills. “Our strikers just are not taking shots on goal. But I’ve seen the midfield improve, so we just need to work on the offense and taking more shots. A lot of the time, they’re just playing individual ball without passing it to each other. So we just need to work on that.”
In addition to Jackson’s pair of goals, Abril Ventura tallied a goal and an assist, and Loreli Ferguson also notched a goal for the Cyclones.
Taylor Ricks and Claire Carter combined for the shutout in goal, with Ricks making three saves and Carter two.
“We talked and we passed really well,” Jackson said. “We had a lot of communication on the field. We passed better than we ever have in this game.”
The Cyclones dominated possession throughout the game, and didn’t waste much time getting out to an early lead. Just 14 minutes in, Ferguson chipped in the rebound of a Ventura corner kick to make it 1-0.
About six minutes later, Jackson buried a shot from the top of the 18 to double the CCS lead.
“I think it helps our motivation and our mentality,” Jackson said. “I think when they score against us, we’re kind of down on ourselves, but when we score and get that lead, I think it motivates us to keep on going.”
The Cyclones continued to push throughout the game, and Jackson put them up 3-0 with a shot from inside the 6 with about 10 minutes left in the first half before Ventura capped the scoring with 7:44 to play.
“I think when we got off to that quick lead, it helps the whole flow of the game,” Bradshaw said. “And the good thing is, when you get off to a lead like that, you can play girls who might not normally play as much. And it’s always nice to be able to do that. ... I think anytime you can get a lead like that, keep good sportsmanship in that, but get a good lead, and I think it always helps.”
The Tigers will seek their first win of the season against Louisburg on Monday, April 4.
The Cyclones will look to keep their momentum going with a visit from Southside Christian on Tuesday, April 5.
“We started the season off, we’ve got a lot of younger girls playing,” Bradshaw said. “It was kind of trying to get the chemistry together. We have the chemistry together now. Like I said, they’re just giving a lot of effort. They’re believing in what we’re trying to do, so I believe we’re coming along very well. I’m very pleased with where we’re at.”
