Springdale takes GCC’s best shot, still dominates

By: Josh Rizzo
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | 9:55 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Springdale senior forward Briana Ross wasn’t shaken when the Dynamos allowed a goal for the first time in five matches Wednesday night.

What Ross was most concerned about following a goal from Greensburg Central Catholic forward Riley Kerr was the next segment of the game.

“It’s the next five minutes that really matters,” Ross said. “The next five minutes determine if you are going to win the game or you are going to lose.”

Carissa Walsh scored in the 27th minute, three minutes after Kerr’s goal, to put the Dynamos back ahead and spark them to a 9-2 Section 1-1A victory at Springdale High School. After a string of five shutouts, Ross said giving up a goal caught everyone’s attention.

“Sometimes you get too confident and comfortable in the game,” Ross said. “You need a swift slap. You can’t just think you are going to win every game as easily as the last one.”

Springdale (7-0, 6-0) has been scoring at a high clip all season.

The Dynamos have scored nine or more goals four times this season. Ross, who has more than 100 goals in her career, added four more to her tally.

“I think we’ve got some strong players who can put the ball in the back of the net,” Springdale coach Marc Bentley said. “I like how unselfish our players are when they get in the final third. They have a team-first mentality.”

Centurions coach Derek Cuthbert said GCC (1-3, 1-3) has been focused on doing a lot of earning this season.

Four of GCC’s 14 players had never played soccer before this season.

Four matches for the Centurions were postponed early in the season, leaving GCC with less time to work together.

“We approached the game as we had to stop their better plays to be competitive,” Cuthbert said. “We had to be competitive and productive when we had the ball. I felt we did that for our first 15 and 20 minutes, and we were rewarded with the tying goal.”

Springdale scored 12 minutes in when Brooke Taliani hammered a shot from near the goal line into the back of the net. Kerr scored in the 24th minute to even the score.

“Whenever they scored, we were in shambles,” Ross said. “We had to settle down and stop freaking out. We needed to play how we actually play and not be afraid that they are going to score again, and we are going to lose. It’s the mental side of the game people don’t talk about.”

After Walsh’s go-ahead goal, Ross and Walsh scored again before halftime to give Springdale a 4-1 edge going into the break.

Ross completed her hat trick four minutes into the second half. Lacey Shondeck and Kaitlyn Shock also scored for the Dynamos.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Springdale