GIRLS SOCCER: Trojans trending upwards as postseason nears

Atlantic shuts out Riverside 1-0, picks up third win in last four matches 

By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / May 14, 2013

ATLANTIC – Atlantic picked up its third victory in its last four matches Monday night, blanking Oakland Riverside 1-0.

Emily Mitchell scored 12 minutes in, knocking home a goal off an assist from Madison Helvie, and the Trojans held on the rest of the way for the one-goal victory.

The win pushes Atlantic’s record to 3-9, and puts them on better footing in the second half of the season after an 0-8 start that saw the team outscored 37-4 against five ranked teams.

“It was a good victory,” Trojans coach Joanne Sandage said. “We talked about the need to win the games we can, and we have let a couple slip through. Tonight, we closed out a win that we needed to have, and we finished strong.”

Atlantic put up 16 shots in the victory, 12 of them coming in the first half with a stiff wind at their backs. Riverside finished with 10 shots total for the match.

“We moved and possessed the ball better, and our offense is starting to click,” coach Sandage says. “We controlled the ball very well, and that was a positive.”

Atlantic has made tactical adjustments to its formations in the last two weeks, switching from four defenders to a diamond midfield, which allows senior fullback and captain ReAnn Cappel to be better utilized up-field, and feed the offense, says Sandage.

“She handles the ball very well, and she shoots very well,” coach Sandage says of Cappel. “When we are facing teams without as much speed, we like to keep her in the back because she is so quick. But the last few games, we’ve moved her up, and it’s making our offense better.”

In goal, junior keeper Maren McNees notched her third shutout victory of the season, making some big stops in the second half as Riverside pounded the net in a frantic five minutes.

“Maren had some nice, key saves when it really counted,” coach Sandage says of McNees. “She played a smart game.”
Atlantic has three matches remaining on the schedule before IGHSAU Regional playoffs begin on Tuesday, May 28, when Creston comes to AHS for opening round action. The Trojans defeated the Panthers 1-0 in their previous meeting on May 7.

After the difficult first part of the season, Atlantic looks to close the schedule out strong and hopefully ride a wave of momentum into the postseason.

“We had a tough schedule to start,” coach Sandage says. “But it was good, because playing that kind of competition made us better. Now, we are playing teams we can compete with, and we are playing well.”

BOYS SOCCER: Trojans overpower Underwood 4-1, push record to 7-6

UNDERWOOD – The Trojans were able to quickly turn the page on last Saturday’s disappointing 5-0 loss to Carroll Kuemper, taking the pitch Monday night and working their way to a convincing 4-1 win over Underwood.

Sophomore Matt Smith scored twice, and other goals came from Michael Thomsen and Harrison Hoegh as the Trojans grabbed an early lead and never trailed.

The victory pushes Atlantic to 7-6 on the season, and marks the most wins ever in a season for the Atlantic boys soccer program, with one regular season match remaining (Thursday at Creston). Creston brings in a similar record at 7-5, and is coming off a 4-2 loss Monday at Harlan.

Atlantic received a first-round bye in the IHSAA Substate playoffs, and will host on Wednesday, May 22, the winner of Nodaway Valley and Des Moines Christian, whom open the postseason on Monday, May 20 in Greenfield.

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