Cultivating Christian Minds and Character
Skip main content and go to side navigationCurrent Site Location:
Fall 2010 Season
Wildcats Fall In Overtime To Nerinx
Facing their toughest test of the season, the Lady Wildcats did Westminster proud as they took the # 2 nationally ranked Nerinx Hall Markers to overtime before falling by the score of 2-1.
It was a great day for a soccer game. The sky was clear, the air was warm, and the stadium was filled to the brim. There was a nervous anticipation in the air as the team warmed up for the start. The memory of last year’s 6-0 thumping by Nerinx resurfaced. Would that memory coupled with the Markers # 2 national ranking scare the Wildcats into passive submission? Or would the team stand as one, resolute and determined to
The game got underway with the Wildcats sporting a slightly different look. With Haley Bettlach (illness) and Chloe Carnahan (injury) sidelined, Leah Beck was dropped to a central defender. Kenzie Pfitzinger and Lauren Probst switched spots with Margaret Moore and Lizzie Blackwell. Early on, Westminster put pressure on the Nerinx as the Markers struggled to clear. The Wildcats took an aggressive approach as they challenged for every 50/50 ball. Nerinx displayed great patience knowing the early emotion would soon wear off. Wildcat keeper Whitney Calvin, in her absolute best performance of the year, stopped the Markers first real threat with a diving fingertip save at 10:55. The Westminster goal post also displayed excellent form by stopping a hard Nerinx shot at 13:32. Some mid-half pressure by the Wildcats put the ball deep into the Markers zone. At 19:44, the Wildcats drew first blood when Christine Ehrmann sent a high-arcing corner kick across the goalmouth to Kenzie Pfitzinger who knocked it into the net for a 1-0 Westminster lead. The goal put the Wildcat fans on their feet cheering loudly while the Markers fans sat in stunned silence. The only group seemingly unaffected by the goal was the Nerinx squad as they set the ball and went back to work. The Markers attack was well organized and patient as they worked the ball downfield with short passes until the opportunity to cross arose. To the credit of the Westminster defense, the Lady Cats protected the box well and forced the Markers to shoot from outside the 18. The half came to a close with Nerinx pressuring but trailing the Wildcats by the score of 1-0.
The 2nd half began with both teams re-energized. All of the pressure was on the Markers as they had 40 minutes to avoid the upset and their first loss of the season. On the attack, the Markers pushed their entire squad within 40yds of the goal. All Wildcat players worked diligently to weather the early storm and clear the ball. At 5:24, an unlucky Wildcat turnover at midfield resulted in a Nerinx Marker breaking in alone on the left. Keeper Whitney Calvin appropriately charged to the edge of the box to cut down the angle. The initial attempt bounced behind Whitney and to another Nerinx attacker. Leah Beck stopped the threat when she raced in from the right and put a foot on the ball to force it over the end line. At 5:54, Nerinx took advantage of the ensuing corner kick and pushed a shot through the scrum and into the net to even the score at 1-1. As the half wore on the pressure on both teams intensified and the play turned chippy. A collision near the Markers 18 caused an excited Markers fan to race down the sideline and fill the ears of the official with his philosophy on the proper use of the whistle. With the clock ticking down, the Markers turned up the heat on the entire Wildcat squad. Bending but not breaking, the Lady Cats demonstrated much needed poise as they continued to stand Nerinx up at the 18. A late half push by the Wildcats was squashed by the official’s whistle signaling the end of regulation time and the 2nd consecutive overtime game for Westminster.
The overtime period was short lived. Nerinx was desperate but deliberate in their play as they worked the ball deep into the Wildcats zone and forced a corner kick. The line drive corner kick found a Markers’ foot on the far side of the Westminster goal where she punched it in to end the game at 3:45. Within seconds of the goal that gave Westminster just their 3rd loss of the year, the Wildcat faithful came to their feet to applaud the excellent effort by the Lady Cats. Coach Smith needed no words to let his team know that he was very proud of the discipline and hard work displayed by the ladies. Losses (like wins) are a learning experience and this writer hopes the entire squad learned that they are capable of playing with the very best and be successful.
The Wildcats next match is at 4pm on Wed May 13th when they travel to Orchard Farm to take on the Eagles in the championship match of the Holly Goodman Tournament.
Game Stats:
Shots: Pfitzinger (2)
Goals: Pfitzinger
Assists: Ehrmann
Saves: Calvin (9)
Last modified: 05/11/2009 11:27 pm