Alex Adams and Molly Dougherty both scored goals to lead Independence to a 2-0 win over visiting Cornerstone Christian in a Division III sectional championship game on Thursday.
The Blue Devils had their way with the Cornerstone defense but struggled to put the ball in the net.
“We played a solid overall game,” Independence coach Bryan Less said. “We had almost 30 shots but just put too many right at their goalie, who also made three or four very nice saves.”
Hannah MacRaild and Paige Westerburg both recorded assists in the win. Adams and MacRaild teamed up midway through the first half to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 lead. Dougherty and Westerburg combined on a goal in the second half.
“Adams received a MacRaild throw in and buried a laser beam shot into the far corner,” Less said. “In the middle of the second half, we had a beautiful build-up to a fast break for the second goal. Rachel Belitz hit a goal kick 45 yards; Riccela DiGeronimo received it and sent a pass to the right corner. Paige turned the corner and played a cross right to Molly, who finished the goal. We went the entire field in three passes and less than 10 seconds.”
Independence’s defense recorded its sixth shutout of the season. Reni Kaiser finished the night with eight saves.
“They were all from deep and the defense let very little go through the middle,” Less said. “Cornerstone played very hard and was a misplaced No. 8 seed.”
The Blue Devils, who improved to 11-3-3, hosts Wellington in a district semifinal on Monday.
