LIONS DEFEAT NEWNAN
Lion’s use their “Heads” to Defeat Newnan 5-1
Lady Lions Win 1-0 on Late Goal
March 6, 2012: The Varsity Lion’s defeated the Newnan Cougars 5-1 at Lion Stadium on Tuesday night, and they would use their heads to do it. “Four of the five goals we scored tonight came from using our heads,” noted Coach Ryan Sutton. “That’s aggressive soccer, and doing what we have to do to win.”
After a frustrating opening 15 minutes that had Lion midfielders producing quality chances that were just out of sync with the Lion forwards, the Cougars would notch the first goal of the match at the 16 minute mark and the Lions found themselves down 1-0.
It would be a couple of Lion defenders who would step up and show the way. Off his corner kick on the far side of the field, Kevin Zuluaga found the diving head of Senior Lion Defender Michael Valenzuela for the Lion’s first goal of the contest, knotting the score 1-1. “That was a great effort by Valenzuela to get to that low cross,” commented Sutton, “it was well-timed and spot on. Michael has been playing very well. We are very happy to see him contributing offensively too. He really got us going.” Indeed he did, as two minutes later another corner kick found the head of fellow defender Lucas Raposo, this one being tee’d up by Juan Herrera. “Lucas went aggressively after that bouncer in the box too, that was the game winner right there.” The Goal was Raposo’s second of the season, and both have come off set piece head balls. “Lucas is especially dangerous when the balls in the air,” added Sutton.
Half way through the first half the connection between the Lion midfield and forwards started to click with Herrera and Junior Jeremy Rector getting multiple looks at goal compliments of their hardworking midfield. It was once again a Lion header that made the difference on the Lion’s third goal, as Left Midfielder Zuluaga got his second assist of the evening when he challenged for a bouncing ball at in the center of the field and nodded it into the path of a charging Rector. Rector was able to go to goal and beat the Newnan keeper with the outside of his right foot for his first of three goals on the evening – further lighting up the best crowd of the season for a home game. “We really appreciate the student support tonight,” commented Sutton after the game, “they were tremendous and I know the guy’s fed off them tonight.”
The Lion’s would score again just before half when junior midfielder Raul Diaz found Rector at the 25 yard mark. Rector was able to cut to his right and hit the long shot across goal to the far post, essentially giving the Newnan keeper no chance. “Raul has been so strong for us in the middle defensively; it was great to see him combine with Jeremy on that one. He played another strong game tonight.”
The Lion’s final tally came when Zuluaga once again used his head to get the ball into the box and tee’d up for Rector. The high bouncer was lifted over the keeper for Rector’s third goal of the contest and eleventh on the season. “Kevin’s effort was superb all night. I tell the guys all the time that it is the little things we do to advance the ball that make the big difference. Tonight we had several goals that looked easy, but in fact they were the direct result of extra effort before the goals were scored. That is team work, and we will take that kind of effort every game,” said an appreciative Sutton after the game.
In the Girl’s contest, the Lady Lions used relentless pressure and a late goal from one of the youngest members of the team to defeat the Cougars 1-0. “We played hard for 80 minutes tonight,” said Lion Coach Bill Holleman, “the girl’s effort deserved more on the score sheet, but that’s how it goes some time. We needed this win and the girls went out and got it.” From the initial whistle, the Lady Lions combined in the middle of the field, had quality looks at goal, and played steady defense. “It is great when all the pieces are working,” stated Holleman, “we got a good TEAM effort tonight.”
In the opening minutes, Lion Midfielder Macey Raines charged a great cross from Shelby Jennings in front of Cougar net. As Raines slid to reach the ball, she directed it just wide of the far post. That was the story of the game – quality looks at goal, but…..
Later in the first half, Freshman Jordyn Missel broke free from her Left Wing position and played a beautiful cross to Phoebe Palmer in front of the Cougar net. Phoebe hit it solid, but just over the cross bar. A few minutes later, Ashley Balmforth was squared up in the box with her back to goal only to be taken down by the Cougar defender – but the refs did not seem to be on the Lion’s side this night. The quality chance of the first half came when Alanna Dineen broke free on the right side of the field and went to goal. She held off a Cougar defender as she unleashed her shot, only to see it bound off the underside side of the crossbar and trickle past the far post. “We were beginning to take it personally,” said a smiling Holleman, “but the girl’s stayed composed and kept up the pressure in the second half. Our defense gave us the time we needed to find the key to the Cougar Net.” Katey Lippitt, Graham Green, Kayla Thomas, Balmforth, and Cosette Morche played well and broke up the Cougar attack, in most cases before it could get started.
The second half saw a renewed focus from the Lion midfielders as they began to work together to get the ball down field. One of the prettiest plays of the night was started by Raines hard work in the midfield. She intercepted a Cougar pass and dropped a pass to Balmforth. Balmforth hit a long ball into the Cougar 18 that was corralled by Missel. Missel made a nice move around a Cougar defender and spotted Palmer making a strong run on the right side of the field. Palmer let the ball fly, and just like it had eyes, it soundly beat the keeper but somehow bent straight into the far post. The Lions were snake bit once again.
With Time running down, the Lion’s kept the pressure on. Jennings and Palmer would both get excellent chances as they were supported by the hard working midfield. However, It was with 9-minutes to go in the match that the Lion’s would finally see the fruits of their labor. Jennings throw-in found Katie Fitton surrounded by three defenders. Fitton’s heal pass to Missel was “one-timed” and found the space between the outstretched arms of the Cougar keeper and the cross bar for the first goal of the match and first of the year for Missel. “Jordyn played very well tonight. She has been out for a while; it was very nice to get her back. What a great ball by Katie in tight spot. That was a pretty play," stated Holleman.
Next Up, the Lions take to the road on Friday, March 9th, in games against West Forsyth. The Girls have the early contest at 6:30 p.m., while the boy’s drop the ball at 8:00 p.m.
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