Stanton Opens New Year With Shutout Win Over Atlantic Coast
photo by Fabrizio Gowdy
By FABRIZIO GOWDY | Jan. 10, 2020 | Sports
The Stanton College Preparatory School varsity girls soccer team defeated Atlantic Coast High School in a 2-0 shutout win at home Wednesday night.
"It was rough coming off the break but we worked it out and we were able to get the win," said senior Stanton striker Imani Ashman.
Both defenses played well in the first half, with especially strong performances from the two goalies. The Atlantic Coast keeper racked up 11 first half saves, while Stanton senior Leslie Lerch came up with a key save in the 33rd minute when she punched an Atlantic Coast shot on goal over the crossbar, preserving the shutout.
photo by Fabrizio Gowdy
Ashman broke through in the 32nd minute when she split two Atlantic Coast Defenders defenders and scored a go-ahead goal from just outside the right corner of the six-yard box.
Neither team managed to gain the upper hand in the early moments of the second half. However, Stanton did manage to increase its lead in the 48th minute thanks to an own goal from an Atlantic Coast defender trying to clear the ball inside the 18-yard box.
"We didn’t play at our fullest potential but we picked up some throughout the game,” said Stanton defensive back Olivia Savelson.
photo by Fabrizio Gowdy
As the second half wound down, the Stanton defense was solid. Atlantic Coast struggled to create scoring opportunities and Lerch made a number of saves down the stretch.
"I’m looking forward to the rest and the remainder of this season," said Stanton forward Kirsten Norton.
With the loss, Atlantic Coast falls to 6-4-1 on the year. Stanton, now 9-3, will not play again until it faces Bartram Trail High School in a Jan. 24 away game.