Covenant’s defense was on point from the start, withstanding a barrage of shots from Fredericksburg Academy Wednesday as freshman keeper Juliya Guthrie saved nearly 20 shots by the Falcons.
In the second half, the Eagles’ offense took advantage of their rare opportunities and pulled off a 2-0 victory. Covenant coach Annie Gumbs was thrilled with her squad’s opportunistic play after the break, a welcome pop of offense for a team that’s stocked with young players at nearly every spot.
“That’s not always the case — I’m just so happy that today they really did that,” Gumbs said. “They took care of it.”
The Eagles first broke through when Megan McGlothlin assisted on a goal by Danielle de Jong early in the second half. The Eagles followed with a second goal with 11:47 to play when freshman Maddie Fagan finished off a short corner.
But it was the defense that carried the water for the Eagles as they fended off the Falcons, who are usually in the mix for a VISAA Division 2 state title, winning the last two championships.
“I am just so happy that the girls on the field from the first player to the last really stepped it up,” Gumbs said. “They all supported one another time and time again.”
Guthrie, who’d never donned pads in the cage before this year, was the final line of defense and was a rock the entire game. Chloe Mitchell, an eighth grader, manned the left side while Courtney Krstich, a senior captain handled business in the center. On the right side, another senior, Julia McCartney took care of the right.
“I really rely (freshman) Madison Fagan and Lizzie Shim they really help get the ball out every time,” Gumbs said.
Fagan, Shim and the rest of the midfield did a tremendous job of pushing the ball and creating those second half chances that sparked the Eagles.
The Eagles will face North Cross Friday in a rematch of a 1-1 tie that opened the season back in late August for the Eagles.
