Eddies edge Lady Bobcats

Published 5:02 am Friday, April 18, 2008

By By DON EDEN / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Strong defense usually prevails, but Brandywine being blanked for the third time this year is preventing victories as Edwardsburg won 1-0 Thursday in a Lakeland Conference contest in girls soccer.
The only score of the game came just under 10 minutes of play when senior exchange student Miriam Agudo escaped two Bobcats (1-4, 1-1) down the left side and her shot was redirected by freshman Aly Mooth in front of Brandywine goalie Katie Smallwood into the net.
"The effort was not there until after Edwardsburg scored that goal and then we played very hard on defense," Brandywine coach Evan Winkler said. "They made the play that cost us the game as we were just watching the ball but we were very solid after that defensively."
Each team had five shots in the first half, but none were threatening to change the score.
"We are controlling the play, but are not getting quality shots due to lack of passing," Edwardsburg coach Ryan Rosenkratz noted. "We need to be more dangerous with better opportunities and the intensity was down after the first 20 minutes."
Senior defender Rene Burks of the Eddies almost scored from midfield two minutes into the second half as it bounced just over the bar.
"Rene has a big shot with a strong leg and plays tough physically," Rosenkratz remarked. "She knows when to put the pressure and plays aggressive all the time which I like."
Brandywine had five shots again in the second half with the best chance to score coming with 13:30 remaining when junior Emily Low was left alone near the penalty shot slot but fired into goalkeeper Christina Hans.
The shutout stayed and the Bobcats remained at three goals for the year.
"The defense played great with Alexa Perry and Morgan Smallwood preventing good shots and Katie is a good goalie," Winkler stated. "It is frustrating on offense as we are just playing kickball without passing and we need to pass to generate some offense."
Edwardsburg (2-1, 1-1) had 11 shots in the second half, but are keeping teams in games by not scoring.
"We are getting shots, but playing against good goalies and there are not any bad teams in our conference so we need to capitalize," Rosen-kratz said. "It is difficult to get a good practice as spring break, tennis, track, band and now the prom are preventing the entire team from getting together.
The Edwardsburg junior varsity team had there first game on Wednesday and were defeated 5-1 by Kalamazoo Hackett.
The Lady Bobcats return to action today as they travel to Dowagiac for a non-conference match.
The varsity-only match is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
Edwardsburg…1
Brandywine…0
Halftime Score
Edwardsburg 1, Brandywine 0
First Half
E- Aly Mooth 30:16 (Miriam Agudo assist)
Shots on Goal
Edwardsburg – 16
Brandywine 10
Saves
Edwardsburg – 5 (Christiana Hans)
Brandywine – 10 (Katie Smallwood)
Records
Edwardsburg 2-1, 1-1 Lakeland; Brandywine 1-4, 1-1 Lakeland