Fairbanks’ Samantha Adkins (3) and Emma Cook (13) pressure a Worthington Christian player on defense Tuesday evening. The Lady Panthers won, 4-1.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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It’s safe to say that a bit of revenge was on the minds of the Fairbanks girls soccer team Tuesday evening.
The Lady Panthers hosted Worthington Christian, the team that knocked them out of the Division III tournament a year ago.
The Warriors went into the contest with some pedigree as they were ranked No. 2 in the Central District and No. 13 in the state coaches’ poll.
Those numbers may take a tumble next week after Fairbanks scored a 4-1 victory.
The contest featured perhaps FHS’ best defensive effort of the year.
Keeper Macy Wanamaker came up with numerous saves, but was also supported by a strong defensive line.
“Our back line played very well,” said coach Randy Spain. “Megan and Molly Olson, Taylor Hall, Charlotte Green and Chloe Jones were organized very well.”
The Warriors gave the Lady Panthers (9-2-3) a little help in the scoring department as the first-half clock neared its midway point.
Molly Olson played the ball through and Worthington Christian’s Emma Kasich inadvertently put the sphere in the net for an own goal.
Fairbanks increased its lead about five minutes later.
Sarah Young passed the ball to Sarah Belmonte for the score.
The Warriors had trouble getting the ball through the Lady Panthers’ line of defense until the 8:21 mark of the opening half.
That’s when Grace Todd, the Central District D-III Player of the Year for 2016, scooted the ball in the net.
Fairbanks (which will travel to Southeastern on Saturday) came up with a shot by Olivia Madden for a 3-1 advantage.
Kayla Green kept the ball alive on the play with a header and found Madden for the score.
The only other goal of the game came with slightly more than 20 minutes remaining in the second half.
Kayla Green popped a header into the net past Warrior keeper Ellie Bauers for FHS’ final margin of victory.