With new Cherokee head coach Kevin Promi looking on, Lady Braves’ Samantha Rauch plays tough defense against Highlands’ Sara Rogers (#18) during a home match on Monday, May 4. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
The Cherokee Lady Braves had a tough final home match of the season as they hosted the Highlands Lady Highlanders on Monday, May 4. For the match, Highlands got off 22 shots (14 on goal) as they topped Cherokee 6-0.
“Our team, at this moment, we play in spurts,” said Kevin Primo who is in his third game since taking over late in the season as Lady Braves head coach. “In the second half we did a lot better job of covering for each other, rotating and shifting, but it just comes in spurts. That’s definitely something that we need to work on.”
Coach Primo also commented, “In looking at all of the competition in the past week and a half that I’ve been with them, the difference is being able to pass that ball, being able to trap that ball, being able to consistently head the ball, clear the ball.”
He said one of the big positives is that the players are learning to think about the game. “They are beginning to think before they make the run and to anticipate certain plays. With that, I am very happy. Those are the things that Coach Brun and I have tried to encourage since Coach Brun and I took over. With one game left, I’m hopeful that we can end on a positive note and just keep thinking.”
Highlands had 14 shots in the first half including 10 on goal. They scored four goals including: Courtney Henry (36:49), Kirstyn Lamb (28:22), Whitney Billingsley (18:56), and Aislinn Fitzpatrick (18:08).
Cherokee’s goalkeeper Tysha Sampson did have some nice saves on the day including a diving save where she pounced on the ball at the edge of the box to save a goal at the 12:18 mark in the first.
The Lady Highlanders scored two more goals in the second half including: Fitzpatrick (31:55) and Ashlee Maitland (19:40).
To view or purchase photos from this match, visit: https://onefeather.smugmug.com/SPORTS/SOCCER/Lady-Braves-2015/Vs-Highlands-May-4/
