Stanton Shows Promise in Creekside Defeat
EMILY ZickuhR | Dec. 5 2023 | Sports
Stanton College Preparatory School’s Girls Junior Varsity soccer team suffered a defeat on Nov. 20 against Creekside High School, finishing in a 0-2 loss in their away game.
The game began roughly 45 minutes late, due to the Stanton activity bus arriving late. The Creekside Knights were at home warming up, and Stanton was left rushing into the coin toss. The delay prompted the referee to substitute the regular two halves for a 40-minute game with no halftime.
“Since it was just a 40-minute match we did not have much time to really play as usual,” said freshman Narlee Nousaath, Stanton’s center forward.
At the beginning of the game, the Blue Devils’ defense matched the Knights’ offense. Just two minutes into the game, Creekside attempted their first goal, but Stanton’s goalkeeper, freshman Omenasa Akporhuarho, acted fast and blocked it.
“Our goalkeeper carried out lots of chances on the goal and held up a great game,” said Mr. Sebastion Cardozo, Stanton’s Junior Varsity Girls Soccer coach.
As the goal was saved, Stanton’s offense was on the rise with a starter kick-off leading the way. Creekside then took possession of the ball as Stanton put up their defenses once again, as Akporhuarho succeeded in blocking the Knights’ goal attempt.
A few minutes later, the Blue Devils offense led until Creekside reversed possession and scored their first goal thereafter. The goal was not overlooked as Stanton’s strong defensive skills turned the game around.
As the Blue Devils’ defensive efforts held strong, the Knights were relentless in attacking their opponent’s penalty box. Creekside was up and armed with the ball and constantly tried to score a goal. The frequent attempts by Creekside tested Akporhuaho, but the Blue Devils made good defensive plays the whole time. Afterwards, Creekside received a free penalty kick and Stanton was left defending their territory yet again. As possession switched between the two teams, Stanton’s defensive players had the chance to show their strength in their blocking skills.
“I feel like I did good in all of them [the saves], some of the balls I [thought], ‘Am I going to catch it?’ [or] ‘Is it going to go under my legs?’” said Akporhuaho.
After the first twenty minutes of the game, the classic halftime period was replaced by a two-minute water break. With Stanton showing its defensive side in the first half of the game, the first five minutes into the second half continued this trend, as the Blue Devils saved another goal.
With nine minutes left in the second half, Stanton's center-back Karly Soto had an offensive drive with the ball, leading it all the way and nearly scoring a goal. However, Stanton's offense was unsuccessful in pushing the drive to a goal as Creekside backpedaled this with their offense pushing toward Stanton’s side.
In the final goal of the game, Creekside’s offense was relentless. The Knight’s offensive players got the ball from the penalty box and were able to push out and execute a goal from the left side of the net. After this goal, Stanton's offense failed to make a rebound, resulting in the final score of 0-2. The performance of the team, regardless of the score, still made the coach proud in the progression of the players' skills.
“Today they played really well,” said Mr. Cardozo. “I think they had much more confidence today, passed the ball much better, and defense was holding strong.”
The Blue Devils Girls Junior Varsity soccer team will play again in another away game on Nov. 30 against the Atlantic Coast High School Stingrays.