Mid-Buchanan Dragons open the season with a win in girls soccer
By Calvin Silvers
The transition to spring sporting events at the high school level is nearly complete, as the girls soccer season officially got underway for Mid-Buchanan, who hosted the Excelsior Springs Lady Tigers. Despite two quick goals from the two teams combined to start, it would slow down and the Dragons’ started the season off in the win column after a 2-1 victory.
The Lady Tigers had the opportunity to strike first off a corner kick, but Gracie Carder’s kick bounced off a Dragon defender, and the scoreboard was still left with zeros. Just over five minutes of game time, Mid-Buch had Avani Kendzora rushing after a ball placed ahead of all Lady Tiger defenders, but the goalie was able to run up and stop a potential goal.
Mid-Buchanan would only need 40 seconds to put pressure back on Excelsior Springs. At the 34:15 mark in the first half, a streaking Emily Parrott on the left side kicked it at about the 15-yard line, and the ball soared over the Lady Tigers’ goalie for the early 1-0 lead.
There would be 10 minutes that would pass before Excelsior Springs had another shot on the goal. Off a penalty, Gracie Carder aimed one right at Mid-Buch goalie Tayja Hernandez, which bounced off her feet, kicked around by various athletes, before Hernandez was able to regroup and jump onto the ball.
After 17 more minutes in the first half, Excelsior Springs’ corner kick failed to connect on the Abigail Rash header, but she was to locate the ball after Bailey Carder fell and connected with the back of the net for a goal, having Excelsior Springs tie 1-1 before the halftime buzzer.
The second half started with both teams pushing their offensive groups, with more shots on goal, but a majority from both teams would sail over the goal. Rash was able to create some separation, and kicked back across her body but Hernandez used an outstretched arm to save the ball from rolling into the net.
Excelsior Springs had more scoring opportunities in the second half compared to the first, but Mid-Buch’s ability to form near the net and kick the ball out to help Hernandez took a lot of stress off the goalie.
The dagger would come with 23:46 remaining in the contest, as Parrott, on the opposite side of the field, used another beautifully placed shot above the goalie’s head for the eventual 2-1 victory.
Mid-Buchanan will be back in action Thursday against Savannah at home.
