EMHS Girls Soccer Dominate Grace

Under ominous storm clouds, EMHS girls varsity soccer ripped Grace Christian, 5-0, in the Blue Ridge Conference semi-finals Thursday afternoon in Park View.

The Flames, 11-0 in conference play, set the tone right from the opening kick-off. Just 30 seconds into the game, Junior Vaughn Strickler (left) just barely missed a shot left of the goal. Thus began the afternoon of domination. 

The Lady Flames were far more aggressive than Grace, winning most 50/50 chances and controlling the midfield. After several close chances, EMHS finally broke through with a goal at 13:26 with a crisp give-and-go between Strickler and 8th Grader Emily Myers, with Strickler tucking the ball in the left side of the goal.

While a Grace midfielder exhorted her teammates that "One goal doesn't matter," EMHS almost immediately added a second. Just thirty-four seconds later, Junior Becca Suter blasted a shot from outside the 18 through the outstretched hands of Grace's goalie. "I take a lot of shots from outside the 18," Suter said. "I try not to crowd the forwards too much."

Emily Myers (right)added her name to the scoring list when she ripped the left side-net at 18:39, while also giving the Flames a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 halftime lead (which incidentally, was Senior Manager Kendra Miller's prediction for the final score).

EMHS continued outplaying and outhustling Grace in the second half. A strange play happened in the 44th minute, as Senior J.J. Hostetter's corner cross was "stomached" in by a Grave defender for an "own goal."  J.J. also scored the last goal of the afternoon at 47:28 when she slipped a rebound shot past the right of the keeper.

Heroics remained, however, when Sophomore Caitlin Bucher replaced Senior Julia Johnson in goal. After a foul in the box, Bucher stopped a Grace penalty kick by diving to her left. "I know her because I've played with her before," Bucher said of the opposing player. "I just focused on the ball."  Coach Eberly added, "Last night [in practice], she had four or five saves like that."  Bucher  saved the shutout again a few minutes later when she stopped a Grace breakaway with another dive.

The Lady Flames next play Saturday afternoon against the winner of the other semi-final match between North Cross and VES. Suter said, "It should be another good game. I'm feeling confident for it!"  Coach Eberly feels like the team is on the right track, saying, "In the last month or so, we've played our best soccer. We're seeing each other well, and we have a great spirit right now."

Sounds like a must-see game on Saturday, and the state tournament beyond!

(All pictures courtesy of Sunday Club Productions)