STC’s Keely Driscoll takes the ball down the field during South Tama’s matchup with Marion on Friday, April 21. Marion won the contest 0-2. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

By Bob McBain

Head Girls Soccer Coach

The game started at 4:30 with Abby Llewellyn in goal. Defensive line was Olivia Terrones, Emily Terrones, Carina Chavarria, and Savanna Lopez. Midfield starters were Taylor Hrabak, Keely Driscoll, Jaelin Berger, and Sadie Smith. Forwards were Abby Ryan and Esmeralda DeLaTorre.

Game started under cloudy skies with a cool temp and winds out of the NE. Marion won the toss and took the wind the first half. And the game was on. For the first 25 minutes it was an up and down game with both teams moving the ball but not able to do anything with it. The game was played in the mid-field of both teams. In the 25th minute ST/EM had a solid attack, with three shots on goal, but the first was blocked by the goalie, the rebound went to Jaelin who took a shot but was blocked by a defender, and the third attempt was by Sadie, but again blocked by a defender, and finally cleared by Marion. Marion in the last 15 minutes of the first half finally took control and the next 15 minutes was played in front of the ST/EM goal. But the defense was solid and turned away Marion. 0-0 at half time.

In the second half found more of the same with both teams playing hard but not able to break thru. Savanna Lopez went down with a injury in the 50th minute and Azra Papakee came in to fill the position. Marion finally got a goal in the 54th minute. Marion played a long ball thru the center that caught the defense leaning the wrong way, and Abby could not get to it. 1-0 Marion. Marion added an insurance goal in the 59th minute on a shot that Abby mis-judged and Marion had a 2-0 lead. And this is the way the game ended. Marion taking a hard fought 2-0 win.

This was a game of momentum switches, and Marion used it to their advantage. ST/EM had 7 shots with 3 on goal, Marion had 17 shots with 11 on goal. Marion had 10 corners to 1 for ST/EM. ST/EM generated chances but just could not find the back of the net. Ariana Avila, Aleks Beha, Haley Dunning, Analea Ordaz, Autumn Papakee, Azra Papakee, Salma Razak, and Mallory Thede all contributed minutes to the effort. Again ST/EM won the 50/50 ball, but could not control it after winning it.

ST/EM will take on Williamsburg on a 4:30 contest next Tuesday, before hitting the road for the next 5 games.