GIRLS' SOCCER: Vikings sail past Warriors

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on March 29, 2017 9:57 AM

• Print
• Email

bcoley@newsargus.com

D.H. Conley took 45 seconds to score its first goal against Eastern Wayne.

If there was any question about an oncoming disaster, the Viking's second goal -- which arrived a minute later -- effectively confirmed it.

Conley had its wheels turning, and never quite stopped in its 7-0 rout of the Warriors on Tuesday evening.

"I feel like we had a flat start," said EW head coach Scott Summers. "...We're trying to tell the girls the little things like stepping to the ball when we play these bigger teams because they can shoot from all over the place. We have to get in their faces, and we have to pressure the ball."

The Vikings terrorized the Warriors' back line by firing 32 shots throughout the game. Conley controlled time of possession so much that EW had no shot opportunities or corner kicks.

The fact that Conley posed multiple offensive threats didn't help the Warriors, either. The first three goals of the game were punched in by three different Vikings -- Analee Reed in the first minute, Karina Carbajal in the second minute and Sarah McGee in the 30th minute.

The assault continued after halftime.

Carbajal and Reed slammed two goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half.

"We had to make a lot of changes due to injury, and we had a couple of girls who didn't play today because of other issues," said Summers regarding adjustments. "...I think the main goal is that the girls have to step to the ball quickly. They can't second-guess it. If you're the closest one to the ball, you've got to get in their face."

The Vikings' Haven Best and Elle Lenker tacked on goals in the 62nd and 63rd minute to complete the scoring.

The Warriors allowed just five goals in their first eight games. In the past two matchups against J.H. Rose and Conley, EW has give up 16 scores combined.

"All these teams are good," Summers said. "We just have to step up to the plate and not be afraid because of their 4-A title. We just have to come to play."

Summers acknowledged that playing bigger schools like Conley, Rose or New Bern requires a more defensive game plan. He added that his younger players are still learning how to shift into that mindset.

He told his team that high-level opponents cannot be beaten unless effort is given from the first whistle to the final whistle.

"We have to start the way we finish," Summers said. "We have to start strong and finish strong. We're going to play some teams where games are going to be close. And if we decide to show up in the second half, it's going to be too late."