Fast start by Smithfield overwhelms Lady Trojans on pitch

New Kent’s Sophia Jimenez (3) tries to take advantage of one of the few opportunities provided throughout the night for the Lady Trojans.

Robb Johnson photo

A fast start and a dominant first half by the visiting Smithfield Lady Packers proved to be too much for the hosting New Kent Lady Trojans to handle.

Behind a hat trick from Katie Lutz, Smithfield scored four first half goals en route to a 5-0 victory over New Kent Monday evening.

Smithfield’s pressure defense rattled the Lady Trojans from the onset. Lutz would take advantage as she scored the first three goals of the game for the visitors. Teammate Kaitlyn Worrell would contribute the next goal as the Lady Packers took a 4-0 lead into the intermission break.

In the second half, the Lady Trojans defense improved, leading to better play. But another goal by Worrell would provide even more distance as the New Kent Lady Trojans dropped the contest.

After the contest, New Kent Lady Trojans Head Coach Steve Grech talked about the slow start.

“In the first half, the first goal they scored brought the team down a little,” he said. “I put my subs into tonight to get some chances for them to play and some experience.

“It was not the result we wanted, but we showed our grit with our play in the second half,” Grech concluded.

New Kent’s record falls to 5-4.