By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– A minute, maybe two top, into the second half of their non-league game with Westside Christian, the once 3-0 lead that they built was now down to 3-2.
The nerves were there. The tides of momentum were against them, but the Western Christian/Perrydale Girls Soccer team clutched up when they needed to.
Clara Newmann pushed the Pioneers lead to 4-2 in the 50th minute, then Madison Barcroft added the squad’s fifth goal in the 58th. Their offensive intensity matched that of Westside’s and that of their stretch that they had in the first half to build that initial 3-0 lead.
“We really had to come together as a team and push those goals aside and work on our offense, ball movement and all of that. Ball pressure and making sure we’re pressuring them so they couldn’t get another goal,” said Newmann. “Our offense is working really well. I think we gotta keep that connection and practice more. This team is very new, so the more we practice together, we’ll have better ball movement.”
With those two goals, their defense settled back in. Facing an intense offense like the Eagles is going to go a long way as they, Western Christian/Perrydale hope to get back into the 3A/2A/1A State Playoffs later this year.
“It was initiating at first, but I think it’s good getting that sort of practice with an aggressive offense. I think it’s really good practice getting into that right off the bat so that way we can get better during playoffs and league and all that stuff,” said Goalkeeper Ella Halgren of Westside Christian’s offense.
Western Chrisitan/Perrydale will host Pleasant Hill on Thursday, kick-off is at 3pm.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
