Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The St. Joseph Female Flyers made the most of their first-ever postseason soccer game, and they did it by making the most of their scoring chances.

The Female Flyers got goals on their scoring chances as they routed the Peebles Lady Indians 7-1 Saturday in the Division III sectional tournament.

“The game was fairly open in the first half. The ball was on both ends of the field and both teams had multiple scoring chances. Luckily, we finished more than they did,” said Female Flyers’ coach Kyle Weatherholt.

Emma Saxby and Sidney Payne led St. Joseph. Saxby had four goals and one assist while Payne had three goals.

Kaylee Sheridan and Ophelia Weatherholt each had an assist.

Aubrey McFarland had Peebles’s goal.

Saxby scored 15 minutes into the game only to have McFarland score five minutes later when St. Joseph failed to get on the end of their own goal.

But on a nice cross from Sheridan, Payne beat the goalkeeper with a drive into the left corner of the net and St. Joseph had the lead for good at 2-1.

Saxby scored just before halftime and it was 3-1.

“After the halftime break, our girls really took control of the game. We started winning every 50-50 ball and established command of possession,” said Weatherholt.

“We started to control the midfield and that was the key to the game.”

Saxby and Payne scored two goals each in the second half to secure the win.

Weatherholt noted that essentials to winning in soccer are the same as any other sport.

“Soccer is a game where you need a complete team performance as well as a brilliant individual plays to be successful. We had both today offensively and defensively,” said Weatherholt. “I couldn’t be more proud of the girls today.”

St. Joseph will host North Adams at 5 p.m. Tuesday. North Adams beat Minford 4-2.