Annalee Willis going to goal.( Photo credit John Bamber)

Lady Eagles Edge East Hamilton 2-1

On Thursday Rhea Middle School Girls soccer traveled to East Hamilton to face the “Canes” a perennially strong soccer team in their first meeting ever. The field was lumpy and it felt much warmer than the forecasted 85F.

In the early going the Eagles fought off several drives to goal as they worked to find their footing. Strong defensive play by Lidia Butt, Leah Daniels, Meredith Goggans and Millie Darnell helped turn the tide as the Canes could find no path to goal. The Eagles midfield started to really roll with drives to goal by Madison Smith and Lyla Roddy. Roddy slotted a pass through to Annalee Willis who put it away against a tough East Hamilton goalie. The game was very even until late in the first half when the Canes pushed a ball over the top to a waiting striker who drove to goal and sent a ball just over keeper Lilly Ferguson’s outstretched hands.

The second half saw some excellent adjustments by the Eagles as they brought on a much stronger passing game with Addie Hughes, Lyla Roddy and Collyns Stinson all making strong outside runs. Halfway through the second half Lidia Butt collected a ball, drove it up and played it though to a waiting Bryn Fitzgerald who with sheer determination punched the ball though two much larger defensive backs and slipped the ball into the corner of the goal past a charging Canes goalie for a final score of 2-1.

After the game Captain Lyla Roddy said “I’m so proud of how we played Thursday. Everyone did so well. Pushing through that last couple of minutes and keeping everything under control helped us take the win! Go Eagles!!”

by Mark Palmer 8/26/24