WCHS edged by Shelbyville

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Warren County’s Shannon Billings, left, keeps the ball away from a Shelbyville defender during Tuesday night’s game at the WCHS field. The Lady Pioneers fell to the Eaglettes, 1-0. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

The Warren County Lady Pioneer soccer team dropped their third game in a row Tuesday night, falling to Shelbyville 1-0.

The Lady Pioneers have yet to score a goal this season, and head coach Keith Hamilton is patiently waiting for his offense to get things going.

“We have missed so many opportunities on offense,” Hamilton said after Tuesday’s game. “We have been working very hard in practice with our mid-fielders. It starts with them, and they have to generate our scoring opportunities.

“We have been busy working on settling the ball, turning and passing. Then the forwards have to move laterally across their defense, so it opens up the holes in their defense. Right now we have been standing around too much and not getting to our spots on offense.”

The only goal of the game, which proved to be the game-winning score, came at the 37:48 mark. Shelbyville’s right forward Jessica Besednjak gave her team the lead from 15 yards out.

Shelbyville controlled much of the first half as the Eaglettes did a good job of passing and keeping the Warren County defense on its heels. Shelbyville had three corner kicks over the next 15 minutes of play, but Warren County cleared the ball keeping the Lady Pioneers within striking distance.

The Lady Pioneers made several runs late in the half, with Alex Smartt and Hillary Templeton leading the charge, but Shelbyville’s defense sent the ball back downfield, turning it over to its offense.

Warren County’s first shot of the game came with 40 seconds left in the half, but the attempt was no good. Warren County trailed 1-0 at the break.

In the second half Warren County did a much better job on defense. The Lady Pioneers out-hustled Shelbyville and passing was much improved. Warren County had two corner kicks in the half, but both of Alex Mullican’s attempts failed to score a goal.

Warren County had its chances to tie the game as the Eaglettes started to wear down late in the half. But Warren County didn’t take advantage of the situation and the game ended as the Lady Pioneers were shut out for the third time this season.

Lady Pioneer goalie Erin Wolford had seven saves on the night with Warren County taking just three shots on goal.

“Our defense was much improved tonight,” Hamilton said. “The girls really played hard and our goalie did an outstanding job, she played her heart out. We just had that one breakdown early in the game and that’s the difference in the outcome.”

Warren County was scheduled to take on Lebanon at home on Thursday, and will be in action next week at home against Oakland.