Correspondent Photo / Robert Hayes Boardman's Lacey Dray evades a Golden Eagles defender during preparation for a game against GlenOak.
BOARDMAN — Lately, overcast weather has disrupted local schedules throughout the Mahoning Valley, including La Crosse. Fortunately, the dull weather held out long enough for Boardman and Division 1 foe Glen Oak to duel on the turf, and the Spartans lost 7-4.
Heavy rain started falling as the game ended, but the Spartans offense committed several turnovers. Junior Kathy Austin scored all four of the Spartans' goals, three of which came on free-position chances.
“In the first three quarters, especially when we were near the cage on offense, we made too many mistakes. We dropped too many balls. When we got ground balls, we didn't chase them aggressively, and the same thing happened on defense.” Boardman coach Matt Pavone said. “We need to talk a little bit more about defense and keep each other at a higher level and keep reporting where we are.”
“The whole momentum changes from there and the girls get lost in their own thoughts, so we have to make plays there and make sure we train them to get out of that space and move on from there. ”
Boardman (1-2) grabbed its only advantage of the game with an early 1-0 lead on Austin's free position goal, but the Golden Eagles (4-1) put together three straight points throughout the first and second quarters. They led by 3 points. 1 goes into halftime. Both teams fought for draw control, but Glen Oak continued to find ways to fend off Boardman's attacks in shooting spaces.
Then, down 4-1, Austin found the back of the cage for a second time, this time away from the dangling hash marks for another free position opportunity. GlenOak kept his foot on the gas during his third frame, leading up to 7-2. Austin scored two more points in the final 2:33 of the game, one from free position and the other on an unassisted goal in front of the cage.
Sophomore goaltender Kendalyn Wyant added five saves inside the cage for the host Spartans.
“(Austin) has been one of our strongest scorers so far this season. If these girls go to the cage more aggressively, we'll have three or four more girls going with her.” I think she's in there with her, but now she's in a leadership role where she's aggressive and attacks the cage, that's what I want to see. ” Pavone said. “It starts with practice. When you're in the 8-meter and 12-meter shooting areas, you have to drill down more in practice and you have to train the girls to do better.”
Although it's still early in the spring, Pavone believes he has a strong leadership group that will help him play a big role this season, including center Ava Gaps, defensive midfielder Jasmine Graham and offensive lineman Lacey Dray. I feel it.
“I put a lot of pressure on the girls to inspire the team when we are down. Hopefully they will speak up. I trust you.” Pavone said. “One of the great things is we have game film. We go back and watch this on game film. GlenOak is a good Division I team, we're a Division II team, but it's just me. It basically doesn't make any sense in my head. We want to attack these teams as much as possible.”
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