GIRLS' SOCCER: Gators strike early, defeat Eagles

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on April 28, 2017 9:57 AM

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bcoley@newsargus.com

Five weeks ago, Spring Creek needed two overtimes and penalty kicks to finish off county and Carolina 1-A Conference rival Rosewood.

On Thursday, the Gators didn't need a shootout. They didn't need overtime. Actually, they didn't really need the second half either.

The Gators erupted for four goals in the first half, which powered them to a 5-1 victory over the Eagles at Branch Pope Field.

"We took our chances," said Gators' head coach Jared Miller. "We created chances, and we took them. And that's been a struggle all season, but we've always created the chances. They've always been there."

The Gators wasted no time attacking the Eagles' defense. In the 10th minute, senior Mirna Santiago set up for a corner kick. The ball eventually rolled to the foot of junior McKinley Edmonson, who slipped a shot past Rosewood goalkeeper Hannah Daniels.

Later in the first half, Madison Sullivan squared her body along the edge of the 18-yard box and rifled the ball into the top left corner. Three minutes later, Jordan Lane swiftly cut into the box and finished a pass from Edmonson.

Spring Creek scored three goals in 28 minutes after scoring just one goal in the previous matchup versus the Eagles.

"We weren't aggressive enough," said Rosewood head coach Kevin Martin. "We didn't do basic things like win the ball in the air, and we were being hesitant when it bounced. Their two best players (Madison Sullivan and Jordan Lane) are their forward players and if you let them do that, they'll walk over you."

The Gators continued to pile it on, particularly the shifty Lane. The junior scored her second goal after heading a corner kick in the 36th minute.

She completed her hat trick midway through the second half. Sullivan slammed a cross pass into the box, and Lane tapped it into the net.

"(Lane) has been invaluable to the team," Miller said. "...Madison (Sullivan) helping her up top -- those two working together is a scary combo. When they're on, they're on and tonight showed it."

Rosewood's Payton Lane -- playing on her senior day -- scored the lone goal for Rosewood in the 50th minute.

Spring Creek has rattled off five wins and one tie in its last six games. This comes after starting the season 0-3. The Gators entered the game positioned in second place in the Carolina 1-A Conference while Rosewood was third.

Miller said those stakes -- along with an upcoming date with first-place James Kenan -- gave his players a well-needed sense of urgency.

"I really stressed to the team that this was a huge game," Miller said. "We treated it like the last game of the season and the scoreboard showed it in the first half."