The young, inexperienced back four that was to be the Lady Kahok soccer team’s big question mark heading into the 2014 season sure looks solid after leading the team to its third consecutive shutout, a 2-0 defeat over Southwestern Conference rival Belleville East. Goalkeeper Holly Bluemner recorded her second shutout.
Tayler Devine / Photo by Roger Starkey
Collinsville (2-0 SWC, 3-1) has not been scored upon since surrendering four goals in their first game to defending Class 2A state champ Chatham Gleenwood. Sophia Sharos continued her torrid pace on the offensive end, scoring her fourth goal of the season.
The Lancers (0-1 SWC, 0-6) hung with Collinsville in the first half, going into the break tied at 0. The Kahoks began to assert control in the latter part of the first half, however, creating opportunities, but never capitalizing. Emily Holten’s drive at the 22 minute 17 second mark of the first half, which was deflected by the goalkeeper and bounced off the post, was Collinsville’s best opportunity to crack the scoreboard in the opening period.
Collinsville Head Coach Clay Smith said the team made halftime adjustments to be more offensive minded and attack the goal.
“We went right at them in the second half, and it obviously worked out well in the end,” Smith said.
After two more near misses from Holten, she struck from distance at the 9:27 mark of the second half. Smith said the freshman was calm under pressure, thanks to her teammates telling her what was going on around her. The relaxed Holten wasted little time finding the back of the net.
“She had a good first touch, and she just hit it well, picked a corner and buried it,” Smith said.
The Lady Kahoks continued to assert themselves in the second half, leading to Sharos putting the game out of reach with her fourth goal in as many games. The junior midfielder took a free kick from the top of the penalty box at the 22:43 and skidded it past the diving goalkeeper to the far post.
Smith said the team played well, but “I don’t think they put together a full 80 minutes.”
Collinsville next hosts Althoff at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Althoff, but was moved to Kahok Stadium at Althoff’s request.
