WCMS soccer squad edged in home finale

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Warren County’s Stacey Rampp, right, tries to keep the ball away from Shelbyville Harris’ Caprice Smythe during the first half of Thursday’s game at Pistole Park. (Rob Nunley photo)

The Warren County Middle School soccer team recognized its eighth-graders prior to Thursday night’s home finale, but Shelbyville Harris spoiled the celebration, handing the Lady Pioneers a 2-0 loss.

Kayla Anderson scored both goals for the Eagles, who used an aggressive offensive attack to keep the ball around the WCMS goal for much of the contest.

The Lady Pioneers got several breaks early in Thursday’s game, when Harris would take hard shots from close range, but they were all either off the mark or turned away by keeper Taylor Douglas.

But Anderson put her team on the board midway through the first half, working her way through the middle of the box and firing a point-blank shot off Douglas’ hands and into the net.

The Lady Eagles took their 1-0 lead into halftime, and scored what would prove to be the game’s final goal on a breakaway early in the second period.

Anderson and teammate Rachel Imes found themselves open in front of the WCMS goal, and Imes sent a quick pass to her teammate, who launched another close shot past Douglas and into the right side of the net.

The Lady Pioneers tried to turn up their intensity through the closing minutes of the game, and had five second-half shots, but Harris was able to use its sweepers effectively, keeping their hosts from any prolonged attack and holding on for the victory.