Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CROSS LANES, W.Va. — The St. Joseph Flyers did something Saturday they don’t do very often.

They lost.

For the first time this season, the Female Flyers lost to a strong Cross Lanes Christian 3-2 in a soccer game.

“Cross Lanes Christian is very strong team with skilled players at all positions,” said Female Flyers’ coach Kyle Weatherholt.

“They’re very physical and strong winning balls in the air. They controlled possession most of the first half.”

Cross Lanes led 2-0 at the half on goals by Abigail Holtbert between the 10th and 15-minute marks. The lead went to 3-0 on a goal by Kathryn Legg to start the second half.

“(Holtbert) score both goals when we failed to clear balls out of the box,” said Weatherholt.

St. Joseph (9-1) came to life offensively as Ophelia Weatherholt scored on a penalty kick into the right corner of the net and then Haley Bartram scored off an assist from Sidney Payne.

“We came out a the second half a different team. We started to get more possession and establish ourselves in the game,” said coach Weatherholt.

“Sydney (Payne), Lynsey (Booker) and Emma (Saxby) started to combined better and attack with more confidence and keep the ball more.”

“The game was pretty even the second half. We had several more chances (to score) and constant pressure the last five minutes but we weren’t able to get the equalizer.”

St. Joseph came into game tied for 10th in the current Ohio High School Soccer Coaches’ Division III poll. The Female Flyers host Lincoln County, W.Va., at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

St. Joseph 0 2 = 2

Cross Lanes 2 1 = 3

First Half

CL — Abigail Holtbert (unassisted)

CL — Abigail Holtbert (unassisted)

Second Half

CL — Kathryn Legg (unassisted)

SJ — Ophelia Weatherholt (penalty kick)

SJ — Haley Bartram (assist Sidney Payne)