by Coach Barb Chura
edits by Chris Pfaff, Xavier Sportswriter

The Varsity soccer team traveled to Shadow Ridge High School on Monday night, defeating the Mountain Lions by a score of 6-0, their fifth shutout in nine games.

Lightning delayed kickoff for about 30 minutes. After the delay, the Gators started the game with a free-kick goal by Junior midfielder Nev Herzog, a beautiful shot over the goalkeeper’s head.

The second goal came from another free kick when Nev served the ball to Junior midfielder Ellie Lopez, who headed the ball towards Junior forward Francesca Diaz, who found the loose ball and tucked it away.

With about 15 minutes left in the first half, lightning produced another delay, so everyone had to clear the field until it was safe to return. Needless to say, the game was now going to end very late.

In the second half, Senior Captain Ally Brown dribbled through many defenders and struck a ball that hit the lower post and came back into the field of play; however, Junior forward Olivia Yu blasted the rebound into the net for the Gators’ third score of the night .

The fourth goal was scored when Sophomore forward Dylan Cook executed a great pass from the wing to Freshman midfielder Lucy Panayi, who put the ball past the Shadow Ridge goalkeeper.

The fifth goal resulted from Junior Ivy Schuman completing a beautiful assist to Cook, who struck a great shot low and into the corner.

Panayi score the 6th and final goal when Junior midfielder Kateri Etsitty served a cross that Lucy collected and blasted past the goalkeeper.

On a very cold and rainy late night, the entire team did an outstanding job as everyone contributed significantly to the victory.

Go Gator soccer!