Defending champions ace first test

Bryce Alderton

A smiling girl from Newport Heights Elementary School said it best.

“One girl was twice as tall as me,” Lagne Moore said late in the

second half in what would turn out to be a 6-0 victory for Andersen’s

third- and fourth-grade girls soccer team -- the defending champion

-- over Newport Heights in Pool A action Wednesday in the fourth

annual Daily Pilot Cup at the Farm Sports Complex.

Andersen fields three teams this year, including the team that

Claudio Venturini coached Wednesday, which has all fourth graders.

Newport Heights has only two fourth graders, Coach Rob Owen said.

Andersen’s size, speed and skill level were all superior to

Newport Heights, with Sarah Craig and McKenzie Brown each scoring two

goals while Lindsey Luke and Jordan Dillion each finding the back of

the net once.

“The girls have solid skills that allow them to move the ball well

to create plenty of opportunities to score and that is what you

want,” Venturini said. “The girls are strong, physical and fast.”

Andersen jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first eight minutes with

Brown scoring two of her three goals in that span. The second goal

came when she took control six yards out, shifted the ball to her

right foot and booted it into the left side of the net.

Trapping defense provided by Newport Heights’ CeCe Beck, Makena

Owen and Rachel Vensand held Andersen’s attack as best they could and

were aided in goal in the first half by Alexandra Holbrook and Claire

Castillo in the second half.

Holbrook had a busy time, stopping eight shots, one a point-blank

attempt.

Luke took care of the goal in the first half for Andersen while

Dillion occupied the net in the second half.

The action for Andersen was up front, with Craig, Anna Venturini

and Caitlin Baker each tallying assists. Andersen built a 5-0 lead at

halftime.

With the game in control in the second half, Andersen worked on

ball handling skills and opening the passing lanes.

“They did well,” Claudio Venturini said.

*

In other girls 3-4 action:

* St John 10, St. Joachim 0: Megan Crosson scored a team-high four

goals for the Pool G winners, while teammates Caeli Sidall, Brooke

Lux and Olivia Harriman each scored twice at the Farm Complex.

* Newport 4, Davis 1: Kayla Vogt scored Davis’ only goal while

Tonya Baker stopped several shots in goal in Pool F play at the Farm

Complex.

Center halfback Hunter Stroder controlled the midfield and played

solid defense for Davis.