Lady Trojans’ soccer explodes with five goals in second half, opens season with win

New Kent’s Bianca Yates (left) tries to dribble down the sideline while being challenged by Colonial Heights’ Heather Claytor.

Robb Johnson photo

Season opening contests often bring jitters and uncertainty. For New Kent’s Lady Trojans’ soccer team, after a scoreless first half, those fears were gone.

New Kent scored five goals as they cruised to a 5-0 shutout victory over the visiting Colonial Heights’ Lady Colonials in the Mar. 12 home opener.

In the first half, New Kent missed several opportunities for easy goals. Meanwhile, the Lady Colonials faired no better, struggling to find the back of the net. The result was a scoreless first half of play.

But in the second half, the hosts became the aggressors on the pitch. At the 29:49 mark, Michelle Drake broke through for a score to put New Kent in front. Just over two minutes later, a Morgan Schalasny lead pass turned into an assist courtesy of Savannah Greiner’s score. The third goal came from Bianca Yates at the 20:59 mark, with Schalasny drilling a 35-yard kick into the back of the net moments later to boost New Kent’s lead to 4-0.

Meanwhile, New Kent’s defense frustrated the visitors, as Lady Trojans’ goalkeeper Emily Ward didn’t face any attempts in the second half. Meanwhile, Greiner scored her second goal of the night at the 7:18 mark, the last point of the game for the hosts as they captured the win.

After the contest, first year New Kent Lady Trojans’ Head Coach Stella Follett spoke about her team’s season opening win.

“We were more intentional about making connections with our goals in the second half,” she said. “We focused on shooting to shoot and not panicking. We put up a different strategy in at the half and that worked well as it helped us keep our composure to win this game.”

New Kent’s Lady Trojans improve to 1-0 on the season.