EARLHAM – Creston girls soccer fell to Winterset by a 5-0 final in Earlham Tuesday night. The loss makes it four straight for the Panthers, falling to 3-9. Winterset improves to 10-4.
A Creston defense that struggled communicating and stepping to the ball out of the gate allowed a Joey Parker score in the fourth minute to put Winterset in the driver’s seat for nearly the entire game.
“Winterset was winning all of the balls and intercepting our passes because our players receiving the passes were not stepping to it and Winterset took it first,” said head coach Megan Kinkade.
The offensive output for Winterset continued early, extending the lead eight minutes later on an Alex Putney score to make it 2-0. A corner kick from Kailey Beebe pushed it to 3-0 in the 22nd minute, and one more each from Parker and Putney made it 5-0.
“At halftime I told them they needed to stop booming (kicking the ball deep) and start to pass to their teammates. They did that in the second half and they did not let them score on us in the second half,” said Kinkade. “I was very proud of them. We played a great defensive game.”
The Panthers pitched a shutout in the next 40 minutes of play, but didn’t create many opportunities to score for themselves either with their leading scorer sidelined.
“We had some offensive opportunities, but with our goal scorer out (Grace Root) with a hamstring injury we weren’t able to generate a legitament attack without her in there,” said Kinkade
Root’s injury caused her to miss part of the Panthers’ game against Glenwood last Thursday. There’s no definite time of return on Root, but Kinkade hopes to have her back for Creston’s next game against Knoxville Friday.
The Panthers had two shots from Karmen Chuong, but neither registered as a shot on goal.
In goal for the Panthers, Madison McCoubrey turned away 23 shots on goal in the loss.
“I was proud of the team today,” said Kinkade. “They fixed all their problems from the first half and were able to hold them scoreless in the second.
“It’s the best turnout we’ve had in a long time against Winterset, ever since I’ve been a part of this coaching staff,” said Kinkade. “I am very happy with how they played. Some had their best game tonight.”
UP NEXT – Creston next plays Knoxville (11-3). Knoxville defeated Creston, May 5, 1-0 and the Panthers will seek revenge Friday at 5 p.m.
Winterset 5, Creston 0
Creston (0) — Shots (on goal) — 2 (0 on goal). Individual shots (on goal)— Karmen Chuong 2 (0). Keeper saves — Madison McCoubrey 23. Fouls — N/A. Cards — none.
Winterset (5) — Goals – Joey Parker (2), Alex Putney (2), Kailey Beebe. Shots (on goal) — 28. Saves — 0. Fouls — N/A.
