Ried punches in two goals, Gators keep lead in Carolina 1A soccer

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on April 17, 2015 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

aetlzer@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Things don't always end well when Rheanna Ried tries to dribble the ball close to the opposing keeper for a shot.

"When I get too close I'm afraid I'm going to hit the goalie or something, so I try to take my shots from a little farther back," Ried said.

That strategy worked out just fine Thursday afternoon.

After just missing on several attempts, the Spring Creek forward scored on two long-distance shots as the Gators defeated Lakewood 3-0 to remain atop the Carolina 1-A Conference standings.

"This was a good win for us, the girls played pretty good," Gators coach Carlos Borda said. "But we need to do a better job of finishing our shots."

The Gators struggled to control possession in the first half. Borda attributed most of that to his players trying to control the ball for too long, and not being able to finish shots.

But just before halftime, Ried broke the tie with her first long-range goal to help the Gators sneak into halftime with a 1-0 lead -- and the momentum.

"It is big to score that goal from the mental aspect," Borda said. "They go into the half knowing that they can score and it gives them confidence they can score more."

The Gators came out in the second half and launched a full-on assault at goal. Spring Creek unleashed 14 shots and hardly let Lakewood get the ball on its half of the pitch.

But for a while, it looked like Spring Creek might not get another goal. Forwards Ried and Madison Harkay had multiple opportunities on goal, but shots consistently missed wide or high.