Short-handed Royals soccer squad comes up empty versus Red Lion
Few things can test a team quite like a spring schedule. Bitter cold beginnings give way to rain outs, spring break and the inevitable crunched schedule created to compensate for any cancelations.
The Delmarva Christian girls’ soccer team had to endure a three-match week that ended with a 3-0 loss to Red Lion Christian Academy April 19.
“Injuries are killing us,” Royals coach Curtis Jones said. “We've lost three starters – five overall – to injury so far, which is messing with our rhythm and flow. We have girls who are stepping up to try to carry the extra burden.”
The Lions took an early 1-0 in the showdown, but the Royals proved to be the team possessing the ball more than the visitors. Placing a number of balls on the doorstep of the Red Lion backline in the first half, Delmarva Christian came close but was unable to produce an equalizer in the first 40 minutes.
As play continued in the second half, the Royals were once again generating chances, but it was Red Lion that would capitalize on a well-placed corner kick to take a 2-0 lead. Delmarva Christian refused to back down. Forwards Ali Munro, Layni Dukes, Madi Taylor and Eva Elliott continued to threaten the defense. Dropping cross after cross through the six, it seemed a goal was imminent, but the Royals just couldn’t find the finishing touch.
“We're keeping stuff pretty close for the most part, but we just need to figure out how to get the ball in the net,” Jones said.
To end the visitors’ scoring, Red Lion senior Noella Taylor, whose header produced the second goal, scored on a beautiful strike that just sailed over goalie Journey Handy and just under the crossbar.
“You don't see it in the score, but the time of possession was good,” Jones said. “We have some players who are clicking together and some good grouping starting to happen there. It's just a matter of getting all the other pieces to line up into place.”
The Royals’ record dropped to 3-5, but they will get some reprieve next week with only a home game against Wilmington Christian School Tuesday, April 23.
