–Asheville Lady Cougars go to 18-2 with win over Carolina Day
17 October 2007ASHEVILLE - October 16, 2007 - Playing field hockey is something that not too many high schools in North Carolina do, but there are three teams in WNC that do play. Two of them, Asheville and Carolina Day, played on Tuesday evening and the Lady Cougars came away with a 3-0 win on Asheville’s Senior Night.
"I’m really proud of the senior group of girls," said senior Leah Downey. "We helped bring this team to a higher level and we are leaving them in good hands. There are lots of juniors (5) and sophomores (6) who will lead them in the next couple of years."
Along with Downey, the other seniors are: Carly Baggett. Tracey Barrett. Karla Weis. Stephanie Funicello. and goalie Ryan Nuckolls.
"It’s been amazing," said Barrett, who was looking for a sport to play in the fall (she plays soccer in the spring) when see went out for the team her freshman year. "We all love each other and we have such great chemistry. The six of us are great friends and it’s nice to be able to play with them."
Asheville kept the ball on Carolina Day’s side of the field for much of the first half. The Lady Cougars had 12 of their 21 shots on goal during the first 30 minutes.
Elizabeth Gaston finally broke through and slapped one in the goal after getting a pass from Mallory Silver at the 14:48 mark of the first half. Silver also had another assist 13 minutes later when Caity Heath gave Asheville a 2-0 halftime advantage.
"We played well for the seniors," said Silver, a junior who now has 10 assists on the year along with 6 goals. "Anytime that you play a local rival like Carolina Day, you are ready to play. We are looking forward to the playoffs and feel that if we play as a team, we can’t be stopped."
Elizabeth Keil added to her team leading 16 goals with a shot just three minutes into the second half. Taking a pass from Barrett, she ran one into an open goal as Kate Soderquist, the goalie, was taken out of position.
The Lady ‘Cats only had two shots on goal, with both coming late in the second half. Soderquist had 14 saves with seven coming in each half.
Nuckolls had one save for the Lady Cougars.
Asheville (18-2) has one game left in the regular season against the third field hockey in WNC on Wednesday at Asheville School at 4:15 and start
the first round of the State Playoffs with a home game on Monday against either Mt Tabor or R J Reynolds.
Carolina Day (6-7/4-0) has two games left this week. On Friday and Saturday, they play twice in Charlotte. Friday they play Charlotte Latin at 4:30 and on Saturday they get to play Charlotte Country Day at noon.
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