With the help of forward Rebecca Moran, the 8U All-Stars played like All-Stars by defeating the Bobcats, 9-1, Saturday at Youth Sports Inc.
Chad Dodd, All-Stars head coach, said his team used superior teamwork to win their game.
"The girls did great and really showed great teamwork on the field," Dodd said. "We've really been working on that in practice, and these girls came through for us today."
The All-Stars' teamwork helped them build a 6-0 lead going into halftime. Moran, who scored the games' first four goals, was the key to the shutout lead at half. Moran used her breakaway speed to push past the four Bobcat defenders to score goal after goal during the first quarter.
Dodd substituted Moran out of the game so the scoring slowed a little bit during the second quarter. However, the All-Stars were still able to net two goals. Forward Kennedi Conklin blasted a ball past the Bobcats goalkeeper to extend the lead to 5-0. Then forward Holly Flitcraft scored the last goal of the half to cap off the 6-0 shutout.
The Bobcats were proud of the third quarter - they were able to score their first goal of the game and shut out the All-Stars for the entire quarter. Bobcats forward Skylar Drum got the Bobcats on the board with a shot from 10 yards outside the goal. The ball rolled past the All-Stars keeper for the first and only Bobcats goal.
The final quarter belonged to the All-Stars. Conklin had already shown her offensive skills by scoring a goal, but during the fourth quarter she showed off her goalkeeping skills. Conklin stopped 10 shots on goal by the Bobcats to earn the fourth-quarter shutout for the All-Stars.
All-Stars forward Kennefi Conklin, left, challenges the Bobcats goalie for the ball Saturday at Youth Sports Inc.
Conklin got some offensive support from the rest of her teammates. The All-Stars scored three more goals, with forward Kelty Blagg netting the first goal of the quarter. Moran also added her fifth goal of the game before Flitcraft finished the game with her second goal, the team's ninth goal of the game.
Dodd said he was pleased with his team's performance but thought their communication could be improved.
"We've only got two games left to play, but we've still got to improve on our teamwork despite today's performance," Dodd said. "Talking to each other on the field has been a struggle for us all year, so we'll work on our talking."
The All-Stars might need to work on their communication, but one thing is for sure: they love to play soccer. When Dodd took Sarah Easum out of the game for a water break, he told her she would come back into the game in three minutes. "Has it been three minutes yet?" Easum shouted when she got to the sideline. It had only been 10 seconds.
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