by Warren Kozireski
Holley rebounded from an early 1-0 deficit to score a goal in each half and defeat crosstown rival Kendall 2-1. Both teams wore shades of pink as the proceeds benefited the Coaches vs. Cancer program; specifically Road and Reach to Recovery.
Kendall took a 1-0 lead just 21 seconds into the contest as Emily Ackles fed a pass to Kendra LoSapio, who chipped the ball into the net.
It took the Hawks just ten minutes to tie the game 1-1 as Riley Sanger charged down the right wing toward the endline. Her cross eluded an Eagles defender before Lauren Jewell knocked it in for her first goal of the season.
In the 55th minute, the Hawks scored what would prove to be the game-winner. A direct kick from 22 yards out resulted in a goal-mouth scramble where Samantha Barniak found Jewell for the goal. Barniak is now tied with Nicole Mauro for the team lead in assists with three.
“I am so proud of the whole team for not giving up after that early goal,” said Hawks head coach Jill Mann. “It (the early goal) was frustrating and something like that can take a team off its game, but they stayed focused and played the system just like we have been practicing.”
After 1-3-1 start to the season, Holley has now won four of their last five contests. Kendall suffered just their third loss and is now 8-3-1, but remains tied for first in Division II with Wheatland-Chili.
