New Kent Lady Trojans hang tough with York’s powerful Falcons

New Kent defender Mary Critz (12) attempts to take the ball away from York's Elizabeth Kramer.

Alan Chamberlain photo

York’s Falcons handed New Kent’s Lady Trojans their first loss of the young soccer season, but the 5-1 outcome was a bit deceiving. The hosts presented a challenge to their highly touted foe for most of Monday night’s match.

A rout appeared in the making when just 30 seconds into the affair, the Falcons’ Elizabeth Kramer bounced a shot off Lady Trojan keeper Sara Jo Buchanan. The ball barely broke the goal line plane for the early score.

Minutes later, Madison VanDyke’s penalty kick, brought about by a New Kent defender grabbing a York shooter, upped the advantage to 2-0.

“Those first two goals killed us, but we pulled together and played well after that,” said Lady Trojan coach Barry Rountree.

For the remainder of the first half and well into the second, the Lady Trojan defense rejected every Falcon scoring attempt. During that timeframe, Buchanan stopped a half-dozen York shots while the offense had its chances, forcing York keeper Trinity Choice to make three saves.

“Sara Jo did an awesome job in goal,” said her coach, heaping praise on the junior who had 13 saves for the game.

Then the offense responded. At the 27-minute mark of the second half, the Lady Trojans closed the gap on the scoreboard. Out of a crowd in front of the York goal, Zoe Wallace picked up Haley Grisbaum’s corner kick and punched a shot past Choice to pull the hosts within a single goal at 2-1.

Unfortunately, New Kent’s offensive surge woke up the York attack. Less than a minute later, VanDyke hammered home a shot. Then only another three minutes passed before Hannah Elford’s long-range effort sailed high into the net for a 4-1 advantage.

“We played them tough, but York is a good team that passes the ball real well,” said Rountree, whose team fell to 2-1.

“But we’re getting better every game,” he added. “Basically, we’re getting ready for the playoffs. I’m very satisfied with my girls.”