By Nolan Epstein/For OzarksSportsZone.com
If Thursday’s match was any indication, the Central girls soccer program is in good hands for the next few seasons.
Anchored by goals from a pair of freshmen, Central (3-1) turned away a struggling Waynesville (0-6) squad by a score of 2-0 in the rain at Harrison Stadium in Springfield.
Defender Grace Chalfant broke through for her score at the 11:37 mark of the first half, while Kourtney Tucker, a fellow defender, added her strike less than four minutes later – making it known that the first-year players mean business.
“Our freshmen are really stepping up,” Central head coach Chris Welch said. “They all play club [soccer] together and they play with some of the older girls, too. After four games, they’re learning to put it all together with the upperclassmen and it’s working.”
The Lady Tigers, who came into the game with just one goal to their credit on the year, looked poised to get on the board first after senior Krystina Zabek pushed a ball wide left in the opening minutes, narrowly missing the net.
After several close calls by Central as the opening half progressed, Chalfant delivered by rifling a shot past Waynesville goalkeeper Trinity Sigler to spark the freshman theme.
PHOTOS: CENTRAL VS. WAYNESVILLE
With 7:53 remaining in the first half, it was Tucker’s turn as the youngster provided the most impressive kick of the night – showing off her range by sailing the ball into the back of the net from deep.
“Coach Welch has always told me if I see those runs in the middle, just take them,” Tucker said of her strike. “I just kind of ripped it and hoped for the best.”
That would be all Central would need the rest of the way as defense reigned supreme for the Lady Bulldogs. Welch’s back line, led by all-district and all-region honoree Jaiden Ellerbee and, yes, a trio of freshmen, conceded just two shots-on-goal in the victory.
“All four of those players in the back, they’re just solid,” said Welch. “They read the ball very well, they talk to each other and they’re just smart. They’re smart about where the play is going to happen.”
Goalkeeper Maggie Courtney, another talented freshman, notched another solid outing to record the shutout after entering action in the middle of the opening half.
Courtney suffered a slight back injury earlier in the week and the starting nod was given to junior Danielle Barstead. Barstead was replaced by Courtney shortly afterward.
“We were trying to give her a little bit of a break,” Welch said of Courtney. “She warmed up well and said she felt better, so we went ahead and made the switch.”
Central will compete in the Parkway College Showcase in St. Louis on Saturday, while Waynesville tries to collect its first win of the year at Kickapoo on Tuesday.
