Lady Mavs roll past Clinton

September 12, 2018 by Conner McCarty

The Anderson County Lady Mavericks (6-1-2, 2-0) moved back into the win column after a 7-1 win over a young Clinton squad Monday night.

A series of unfortunate rainy events moved the Lady Dragon’s home bout with the Lady Mavs to Anderson County’s Maverick Stadium. On turf, the game of soccer moves faster, and the Lady Dragons were unable to match the speed and skill of Anderson County.

From the opening kickoff, Anderson County dominated possession. The Lady Dragons’ back line was tested early and often. The Lady Mavs used efficient outside-mid play to advance the ball into the attacking third and put services into Clinton’s penalty area. With most of the play inside the Clinton half, defensive clearances and goalkicks were the only pauses in the Lady Mavs’ constant attack.



In the eighth minute of play, Anderson County earned a corner, and the ensuing service would find the back of the net when sophomore Tori Wetherington struck a one-time half volley on frame. The shot deflected off of a Lady Dragon defender, and into the right side of the net. Not even a minute later, Wetherington would follow up a shot that was mishandled by the Lady Dragon goalkeeper, and bury it for her second. By the ninth minute of play, Anderson County led 2-0.



The Lady Dragons would get on the board in the 32’, when Malia Kim found a ton of space behind the Anderson County high-sitting defense. On the breakaway, Kim would fire a great shot to the left, which beat the outstretched senior keeper Mollie Wheeler. Kim’s strike made it 2-1, with eight minutes to play in the first half.

However, Anderson County did not wait long to respond. Four minutes later, sophomore Shelby Freyre gained possession on the left side on the 18-yard-box, and ripped a shot into the side netting, just inside the right post. In the 36’, it was 3-1 Lady Mavs, and they never let up.



Three minutes later, in the 39’, junior Echo Haverkamp tallied for the Lady Mavs. Haverkamp slotted a right-footed roller that was too quick for the Clinton keeper. In a matter of eight minutes, a slim one-goal Lady Mavs lead extended to a 4-1 advantage at the break.



The second half of play featured much of the same Lady Mavs dominance. In the 50’, Wetherington would send ballcaps flying, as she found space on a breakaway and finished with a cheeky toe-poke. The sophomore’s goal marked her hat-trick on the stat sheet, and increased Anderson County’s lead to 5-1.



The Lady Mavs would add to their advantage in the following minute, when junior Laura Wilson stuck a full-volley from twenty yards out with perfect technique. The strike laced with topspin flew over the Lady Dragons goalie, and dipped under the crossbar and into the twine. Wilson’s technique gave the Lady Mavs a 6-1 lead in the 51’.



Yet, Anderson County was not finished. In the 67’, Anderson County junior Natalie Bartley had a ball come straight to her off of a Lady Dragon misclearance. Bartley hit a one time laser from beyond the 18-yard-box, which flew up and over the Clinton goalkeeper, and into the back of the net. The junior’s strike increased Anderson County’s lead to 7-1, and the match ended with that result.



Anderson County outshot Clinton 22-to-3.



“We saw some strength in places that we don’t normally get to. We got all of our girls out there, and they did well. We made some adjustments formation wise and tactics wise throughout, and they were all able to step up,” said Anderson County Head Coach Chris Curtin about his team’s performance.



Even after a 7-1 result over their rival Clinton, Curtain believes his team still has plenty of practicing to do. “Moving forward, we’ll work on distribution into the midfield, distribution into the attacking third, and placing shots away from the goalkeeper.”



Both teams will be in action on Thursday, September 13. The Lady Dragons will host the Scott Lady Highlanders. The Lady Mavs will travel to face the Lady Eagles of Gibbs. Both games are scheduled to kickoff at 6:30.