Kerr-Vance girls win 2-1 on Tuesday
The Kerr-Vance Academy girls’ soccer team played its fifth game in six days Tuesday afternoon, finishing off a brutal opening stretch of the season with a crucial 2-1 victory over conference rival Rocky Mount Academy.
“I told them before the match that they were going to have to play harder today than they have all season because it’s our first conference game,” Spartans’ head coach Razvan Tegean said. “I am very pleased with their effort, they really responded and stepped up today. Every single one of them were hurting and tired today, but they did an amazing job of fighting the entire match.”
The Spartans (2-2-1) struck first as Julianna Negron laid out a beautiful cross pass that Nicole Dunkley promptly booted into the back of the net midway through the first half. However, Rocky Mount responded about ten minutes later to even the score at one goal apiece heading into halftime.
The majority of the second half was a stalemate as the Spartans began to tire, which was understandable after the gauntlet they’ve been through to start the year. Just as it seemed like the match was headed towards a draw, Kerr-Vance dug down deep and Riley Short blasted a shot past the Eagles’ goaltender after an extraordinary assist from Nicole Dunkley got through the Rocky Mount defenders.
“I think our defense did a great job the entire match,” Tegean said. “They were very strong and really didn’t give them many opportunities to score. We also did a great job moving the ball, which is something we’ve really been working hard on recently. Both of our goals were a result of great ball movement, so that’s very encouraging.”
Kerr-Vance dominated play through most of the first half, creating far more scoring chances than Rocky Mount, but just couldn’t finish on a few shots they typically would’ve converted according to Tegean. The Kerr-Vance defense was rock solid and kept the ball out of their own end for the most part, which was also due to the excellent ball control displayed by the Spartans.
“We are a very, very, very young team,” Tegean said. “But since the first day of practice I’ve liked the way they showed up to work hard and train hard. I’ve enjoyed my experience so much already. We have a great group of girls and if they stick together we’re going to be successful.”
The Spartans lost their first two matches of the season, but Tegean said the girls made significant strides in both contests despite the outcomes. Kerr-Vance regrouped, going on to defeat Lee Christian 3-1 on Saturday afternoon and tie Trinity Christian of Raleigh 1-1 on Monday.
After the statement victory against 1A Carolina Independent Conference rival Rocky Mount, the young Spartans should have some confidence heading into their next game Friday night @ Epiphany.
The Kerr-Vance Academy girls’ soccer team played its fifth game in six days Tuesday afternoon, finishing off a brutal opening stretch of the season with a crucial 2-1 victory over conference rival Rocky Mount Academy.
“I told them before the match that they were going to have to play harder today than they have all season because it’s our first conference game,” Spartans’ head coach Razvan Tegean said. “I am very pleased with their effort, they really responded and stepped up today. Every single one of them were hurting and tired today, but they did an amazing job of fighting the entire match.”
The Spartans (2-2-1) struck first as Julianna Negron laid out a beautiful cross pass that Nicole Dunkley promptly booted into the back of the net midway through the first half. However, Rocky Mount responded about ten minutes later to even the score at one goal apiece heading into halftime.
The majority of the second half was a stalemate as the Spartans began to tire, which was understandable after the gauntlet they’ve been through to start the year. Just as it seemed like the match was headed towards a draw, Kerr-Vance dug down deep and Riley Short blasted a shot past the Eagles’ goaltender after an extraordinary assist from Nicole Dunkley got through the Rocky Mount defenders.
“I think our defense did a great job the entire match,” Tegean said. “They were very strong and really didn’t give them many opportunities to score. We also did a great job moving the ball, which is something we’ve really been working hard on recently. Both of our goals were a result of great ball movement, so that’s very encouraging.”
Kerr-Vance dominated play through most of the first half, creating far more scoring chances than Rocky Mount, but just couldn’t finish on a few shots they typically would’ve converted according to Tegean. The Kerr-Vance defense was rock solid and kept the ball out of their own end for the most part, which was also due to the excellent ball control displayed by the Spartans.
“We are a very, very, very young team,” Tegean said. “But since the first day of practice I’ve liked the way they showed up to work hard and train hard. I’ve enjoyed my experience so much already. We have a great group of girls and if they stick together we’re going to be successful.”
The Spartans lost their first two matches of the season, but Tegean said the girls made significant strides in both contests despite the outcomes. Kerr-Vance regrouped, going on to defeat Lee Christian 3-1 on Saturday afternoon and tie Trinity Christian of Raleigh 1-1 on Monday.
After the statement victory against 1A Carolina Independent Conference rival Rocky Mount, the young Spartans should have some confidence heading into their next game Friday night @ Epiphany.
