By JIM OTTS
Register Correspondent
PRINCETON — An early goal gave the Princeton Lady Panthers enough edge to down the Gainesville Lady Leopards 1-0 Friday night.
“They caught us back on our heels really early and their attacking midfielder got the ball outside our 18 and dribbled in for a pretty shot,” Gainesville Coach Leslie Otts said about Princeton’s lone goal. “After that, we controlled the game, had plenty of opportunities, but couldn’t finish.”
Stopper Amanda Eddowes, assigned to the Panther midfielder for the remainder of the game, made that girl a non-factor the rest of the way.
“Eddowes took her away from them,” Coach Otts said. “She got inside the girl’s head and frustrated her to the point where she was pushing and shoving.”
The entire defense kept the Lady Panthers away from the net after that first goal, giving goalkeeper Paula Vasquez a break.
“Paula had a couple of saves but did not have to make any of the spectacular ones,” Otts said. “The entire defense played very well in front of her.”
Sassy Thomas holds down the sweeper position, just in front of the keeper, Alex Perez plays the left fullback spot and Amanda Ginther womans up the right side.
Eddowes is the top of the defensive diamond at stopper.
Jacqueline Franco and Marisol Chavez are the inside midfielders, Shelly Reynolds and Jamie Hawley the outside midfielders and Joslyn Mota played up front with Jordan Garcia.
Clara Mendez was the only substitute available Friday. Selena Perez was injured and Maria Castillo could not make the trip.
“All the girls played a good game. Clara came in and gave us some quality help and we improved on some of the things that have given us problems in the past,” Otts said. “I think it was a step in the right direction and we should be ready to go Tuesday.”
The Lady Leopards travel to Decatur on Tuesday to resume District 9-4A competition against the Lady Eagles.
