If Monday’s 9-1 season-opening win at Oberlin on Monday is an indication of what is to come this season, Independence fans are in for a treat.
Seven different players scored as the Blue Devils quickly pulled away from the Phoenix.
“I told them at halftime the only disappointing thing was the one (goal allowed),” said Independence coach Bryan Less. “We were up 4-0 at the time and felt pretty good about ourselves and made a mistake. There was a cleared ball and nobody moved so Oberlin had an open shot and it went over the goalie’s head. We went on to score two quick ones but we felt too good about ourselves and that shouldn’t have happened.”
The mistake was understandable considering the relative youth of the squad and the lack of success over the past two seasons.
“The last couple of years were pretty tough,” Less said. “Last year they learned how to compete and stayed in a lot of games and this year with this group it’s learning how to win and play hard for 80 minutes.”
Freshmen Makenna McGhee and Paige Westerburg each scored two goals while freshman Riccela DiGeronimo, sophomores Molly Dougherty and Josie Lee, junior Lauren St. Andrew and senior Martha Clymer each contributed with one goal.
“It was a nice mix,” Less said of the offensive output. “The seniors on the team are a group of hard-working players and the sophomores and freshmen are the ones who have been playing soccer their whole lives. The more skilled players are on the younger side.”
Lee and Reni Kaiser each recorded one save in the net.
“Both are sophomores and I’m teaching them to play goalie from scratch,” Less said. “Josie is tall and has good hands. Reni is a little bit height-challenged so I told her I’m going to have to live with some balls going over her head but she’s really good with her feet. She was a field player before so she comes out and controls the box very well and we can play the ball back to her. She’s learning to be more aggressive. She had a nice game.”
McGhee, Westerburg, DeGeronimo, Dougherty and senior Christina Brunsman each recorded an assist in the win. Aliya McDonald assisted on two Independence goals.
The Blue Devils host Harvey on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
