 |
| Nature Coast's Emily Myers gets low to take a shot in front of Leesburg's Sarah Englehardt. |
By
Hernando Today
November 29, 2011
BROOKSVILLE --Through the first six matches of the season, it seemed Nature
Coast had finally shaken the offensive shortcomings that had plagued it
in the past.
The Lady Sharks entered Tuesday’s home match against Class 3A, District 6 foe Leesburg having outscored its previous opponents 31-1.
Neither of those numbers would change on that night, as the two squads played to a scoreless tie in a battle of district unbeatens.
“I think for the most part we have finished very well leading up to this game and that’s definitely what we struggled with tonight,” Nature Coast Head Coach Lisa Masserio said.
“We’re moving in the right direction. But it’s disappointing,
considering the number of goals we’ve finished off over the course of
the season, to be shut out.”
At least for the Lady Sharks (6-0-1 overall, 3-0-1 3A-6), it didn’t come due to lack of scoring chances. They outshot the Yellow Jackets (4-1-2 overall, 2-0-1 3A-6), 13-3, and kept nearly all the action on Leesburg’s half of the field.
“We looked a little tentative at times in the box,” Masserio said. “The buildup now for district games is kind of a big deal. It’s teams we haven’t faced before, we haven’t seen, we don’t know very much about. Some of it is the anticipation of the unknown. I think we suffered from a lack of intensity at certain points in the game.”
The best offensive opportunity for either team came early on. Seven minutes in, Emily Myers was tripped up in the goal box and awarded a penalty kick.
However, Myers’ attempt landed in the arms of Leesburg keeper Sarah McKinney, one of her 13 saves in the contest.
“She normally plays well, but she kept us in this game tonight,” Leesburg Head Coach Israel Ramos said. “She’s a sophomore. She’s still got a lot to learn. But she was a beast out there tonight.
“Credit Nature Coast; they came at us, moved the ball, they tried everything. I was pleased with the level of play and the officiating was superb.”
“The good thing is we are creating a lot of opportunities,” Masserio said. “The past couple of years we were struggling to get there. That part I’m pleased with. The girls have worked really hard to keep moving the ball, move the ball quickly; make quick decisions.”
Meanwhile sophomore Samantha Oliveira had a relatively quiet night in net for the Lady Sharks, making three saves.
“I would have liked a little more pressure, but defensively we were solid,” Ramos said. “We still need to work on our midfield, build up and connect on the passes that will be vital to test the keepers.”
Next up: Eustis
Though this match had its own share of district implications, on Friday Nature Coast will travel to take on the club considered the favorite in 3A-6, Eustis.
“I think we have a few things we need to brush up on and work on because we may not get 30 opportunities against Eustis,” Masserio said. “I think we match up pretty well with them. It’s going to be a battle. Our defense will have to step up because they’ve got players that are outstanding.”
NATURE COAST 0, LEESBURG 0
LEE 0 0 -- 0
NCT 0 0 -- 0
Goals – none.
Assists – none.
Shots on goal – LEE: 3; NCT: 13.
Saves – LEE: McKinney 13; NCT: Oliveira 3.
Yellow cards – none.
Red cards – none.
Blue cards – none.
Records – Leesburg (4-1-2 overall, 2-0-1 3A-6), Nature Coast (6-0-1 overall, 3-0-1 3A-6).
cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com
(352) 544-5288
The Lady Sharks entered Tuesday’s home match against Class 3A, District 6 foe Leesburg having outscored its previous opponents 31-1.
Neither of those numbers would change on that night, as the two squads played to a scoreless tie in a battle of district unbeatens.
“I think for the most part we have finished very well leading up to this game and that’s definitely what we struggled with tonight,” Nature Coast Head Coach Lisa Masserio said.
 |
| Nature Coast's Ashley Chevalier (10) wards off a Leesburg attacker during Tuesday's 3A-6 contest. |
At least for the Lady Sharks (6-0-1 overall, 3-0-1 3A-6), it didn’t come due to lack of scoring chances. They outshot the Yellow Jackets (4-1-2 overall, 2-0-1 3A-6), 13-3, and kept nearly all the action on Leesburg’s half of the field.
“We looked a little tentative at times in the box,” Masserio said. “The buildup now for district games is kind of a big deal. It’s teams we haven’t faced before, we haven’t seen, we don’t know very much about. Some of it is the anticipation of the unknown. I think we suffered from a lack of intensity at certain points in the game.”
The best offensive opportunity for either team came early on. Seven minutes in, Emily Myers was tripped up in the goal box and awarded a penalty kick.
 |
| Nature Coast's Victoria Wall (2) advances the ball versus Leesburg during a scoreless tie Tuesday evening. |
“She normally plays well, but she kept us in this game tonight,” Leesburg Head Coach Israel Ramos said. “She’s a sophomore. She’s still got a lot to learn. But she was a beast out there tonight.
“Credit Nature Coast; they came at us, moved the ball, they tried everything. I was pleased with the level of play and the officiating was superb.”
“The good thing is we are creating a lot of opportunities,” Masserio said. “The past couple of years we were struggling to get there. That part I’m pleased with. The girls have worked really hard to keep moving the ball, move the ball quickly; make quick decisions.”
Meanwhile sophomore Samantha Oliveira had a relatively quiet night in net for the Lady Sharks, making three saves.
“I would have liked a little more pressure, but defensively we were solid,” Ramos said. “We still need to work on our midfield, build up and connect on the passes that will be vital to test the keepers.”
Next up: Eustis
Though this match had its own share of district implications, on Friday Nature Coast will travel to take on the club considered the favorite in 3A-6, Eustis.
“I think we have a few things we need to brush up on and work on because we may not get 30 opportunities against Eustis,” Masserio said. “I think we match up pretty well with them. It’s going to be a battle. Our defense will have to step up because they’ve got players that are outstanding.”
NATURE COAST 0, LEESBURG 0
LEE 0 0 -- 0
NCT 0 0 -- 0
Goals – none.
Assists – none.
Shots on goal – LEE: 3; NCT: 13.
Saves – LEE: McKinney 13; NCT: Oliveira 3.
Yellow cards – none.
Red cards – none.
Blue cards – none.
Records – Leesburg (4-1-2 overall, 2-0-1 3A-6), Nature Coast (6-0-1 overall, 3-0-1 3A-6).
cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com
(352) 544-5288
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