NEW MARKET – It had been since Aug. 30 since Southmont girls soccer earned a win on as in their last four games they were 0-3-1. That changed on Saturday when the Mounties hosted a talented Benton Central team and were able to come away with a 1-0 shutout of the Bison.
Benton Central came into the game with a record of 7-2-1 and the Mountie defense didn’t shy away form the tough challenge and played arguably one of their best games of the season.
The lone goal of the game came off the foot of Elle Gray who scored on a beautiful corner kick in the second half. Southmont’s stout defense did the rest as the Mounties improved to 6-5-1 on the season.
What made the win even sweeter for Southmont was the fact that a season ago, Benton Central defeated them 5-0. First-year coach Roger Azar noted how proud he was of his team for bouncing back against a tough opponent.
“We really did play a complete game,” Azar said. “Our defense played outstanding, our mid-fielders played well and our forwards took multiple shots on goal even though we only got one to fall. Elle Gray couldn’t have placed the ball any better on her corner kick and this is just a great morale booster for the girls.”
This week is a big week for the Mounties as on Monday they’ll play a potential sectional opponent in Cascade (4-5-1) before hosting county rival Crawfordsville on Tuesday with a chance to clinch the county title. Azar noted how this week is important to his team as they want to start playing their best soccer as they prepare for the post-season.
“I think as a team we’re really beginning to see a lot of hard work from them,” he said. “They understand that they are technically strong and good athletes, but it really comes down to how much effort you put into the game that will determine the outcome. They’ve really been pouring their hearts out on the field and I think the results are beginning to show.”
The Lady Mounties game on Monday against Cascade is scheduled for a 5 pm start while the county game against the Athenians (5-4-3) is set for 5:30.
