Big Red Girls roll over Harrison in opener | News, Sports, Jobs
GETTING THE BALL FORWARD – Big Red’s Jolee Lombardo tries to get the ball past Harrison Central’s Emma Patterson during Friday’s season opener at Harding Stadium. – Andrew Grimm
STEUBENVILLE – The Big Red girls soccer team opened the season with a great game against Harrison Central.
Big Red scored the first seven goals and didn’t let up as they defeated the Huskies 10-1 thanks to the Mercy Rule in the annual Friday Night Football event at Reno Saccoccia Field at Harding Stadium.
“In recent years, we’ve needed some time to get settled and get going,” said Annie Cutri, head coach of Big Red (1-0). “Today we wanted to go out and score some goals early. We moved the ball really well in the attacking third. We could have scored more goals, but their goalie made some great saves.”
Big Red controlled the ball for most of the game against the visitors from Harrison County. The Red and Black applied pressure from start to finish, and the hosts scored six goals in less than 14 minutes of play.
Harrison Central goalkeeper Vanessa Dowdle was busy from the moment she stepped onto the field and the standout player and co-captain finished the game with 32 saves.
“She played a great game,” said Mindy Madzia, head coach of Harrison Central (0-1). “She made some great saves.”
“We only had 12 girls here. I knew it was going to be tough. One girl is out and another girl is performing at the Jefferson County Fair tonight.
Dowdle also took 16 corner kicks and assisted on the Huskies’ only goal.
“Their goalkeeper was great,” said Cutri. “She made some great saves. Kudos to her.”
Bailee Beall scored four goals and two assists for the winners, Gianna Thomas collected a hat trick and an assist and Lucy Saccoccia added one goal among five assists. Ava Antill and Aubrey Diggan also scored a goal each, while Kenzy Petrelle provided an assist.
The hosts used two goalkeepers. Madilyn Thacker started the first half before being replaced by Jodeci Greene in the second half. Neither goalkeeper was able to save a shot.
“All the girls on the varsity team played,” Cutri said. “They all played good minutes. The girls moved the ball really well the whole 80 minutes. We moved great without the ball, we played the ball to their feet and we played it through their line.”
Zoe Williamson scored the goal for the visitors, while defender Avri Puskarich made a save in the first half by clearing a shot off the goal line.
“The girls love playing on Friday nights,” Madzia said. “We lost our entire back line from last year, so it’s about finding the right combination.”
Big Red scored its first goal less than three minutes later and led 7-1 at halftime.
“The girls enjoy playing on Friday nights,” Cutri said. “They enjoy playing the opening game here. We are happy with this result. This will give the team confidence and momentum. We want to improve as the season goes on.”
The second half was played with the clock running. The game was interrupted for a drinks break with 20:13 to go.
Big Red’s away game against Cambridge is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Harrison Central’s home game against Cambridge is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Wagner Field.
