BREVARD, N.C. – Freshmen Lauren Williamson and Leia Avery played exceptionally well for the LaGrange College women's soccer team Sunday during a 2-0 setback to USA South-rival Brevard.
Williamson was aggressive in the midfield and made positive things happen in the transition game for the Panthers (2-5-0, 2-5-0 USA South). Avery made some tremendous defensive reads and showed the ability to make plays down field with the long ball.
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The Tornados (6-1-1, 6-1-0 USA South) received two goals from Ashley Royster in the first half. Brenna Innis and Jessica Tenjhay finished with one assist apiece for Brevard. LaGrange's freshman goalkeeper Leila Moss stopped all five shots put on net by the Tornados in the second half.
"We are definitely improving as a team every game," said LaGrange College women's soccer head coach Fred Wagenaar. "We kept them scoreless in the second half and we were more threatening on offense as well. We made some good adjustments. Our passing was more focused in the midfield and the substitutions put forth a good effort. The team spirit and togetherness are nice to witness."
The Panthers applied pressure in the second minute. Junior captain Sydney Dailey controlled the ball in the middle of the attacking zone. She gained separation with exceptional footwork and located Williamson just beyond the right edge of the 18-yard box. Williamson unloaded a shot, but the attempt was blocked by a Brevard defender.
The Tornados transitioned down to the offensive side of the field in the third minute. Avery made a great steal on right defense to break up Brevard's rush, and then Demkowski stole the ball in the middle of the pitch to get the Panthers out of danger.
Avery sent a superb through ball 11 minutes into the game down the right attacking side, but the pass barely missed connection with Dailey's run. Royster netted a shot into the lower right corner from the left side of the box during the 13th minute off a through ball by Innis.
Williamson, Dailey and freshman Anna Brown had some good combination play at the end of the first half, but the Tornados found the back of the net again in the 34th minute. Royster scored on a give-and-go play with Taylor Richardson, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
Moss kept the Panthers within striking distance in the second half. She made two saves 40 seconds apart in the final 10 minutes. During the 67th minute, junior captain Madison Demkowski's shot toward the bottom right corner of the net was saved by Brevard's goalkeeper Rebeccah Rojas.
The Panthers will try to improve to 3-2 at home in 2021, as LC closes out the regular season with a noon matchup against Wesleyan Sunday, March 28, on Panther Field.
Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
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