By Ted Waddell
LIBERTY — September 18, 2001 – While John Lennon, coach of the Liberty girls’ varsity soccer team wasn’t exactly thrilled with their fourth consecutive loss of the early season, he is pleased with how the team is starting to play as a unit.
“The girls seem to be happy with the game and how they’re playing,” he said. “We have a core group that is starting to play well together, and hopefully the rest of the team will feed off that. We have to be more 11/11ths instead of 4/1ths or 6/11ths at any one time.”
The Lady Indians (0-4) lost 7-0 to the booters of John S. Burke Catholic School (2-0 OCL, 2-2 overall) in Friday afternoon’s home game.
Burke scored four goals in the first half, as Bryn Liewellyn put one into the net on an assist by Madelene Rickard at 36:00. Krista Williams scored at 33:17 on a cross from Tonia D’Agustino that was partially deflected by Liberty keeper and co-captain Nicole Daurio. Megan Carr scored Burke’s third goal on an assist from Williams at 24:00. Laura Donnelly closed out the first frame tally unassisted at 21:27.
In the second half, Donnelly scored unassisted at 35:00. Heather Holmes scored unassisted at 31:00 on a rebound. At 17:00, Williams dribbled up the sidelines and put the final goal into the net for Burke to close out the game at 7-0.
Burke also had an advantage in several key stats, such as shots on goal (Burke 28, LCS 4) and corner kicks (Burke 4, LCS 1).
While Liberty’s goalie watched seven shots strike home, she was played her heart out by making 16 saves.
“We played a nice game, and we’ve tried to work on our passing game,” said Andrea Conklin, coach of the Burke girls’ varsity soccer squad. “It’s early in the season, and we’re still working on a few things.”
The Liberty booters have 10 returning players for the 2001 season: five juniors and five seniors, including co-captains Nicole Daurio and Michelle Olson.
According to Lennon, their goal is to make the sectionals.
“I thought it was a good game,” he said. “Our girls played well...they’re coming along well as a team.”
“We’re just having a hard time putting all the pieces of the puzzle together,” added Lennon, who is also Liberty’s veteran wrestling coach, as he grappled with how to tip his team over the narrow line into the winning column.
“We’ve been right there, but have had a couple of mental breakdowns that have allowed the other teams to put one in the net...we’re just not putting it together in front of the net,” added Lennon.