By Bryan Rothamel / Flucoblog.com
PALMYRA — Western Albemarle’s girls’ soccer team went to an old saying Tuesday night — two steps forward, one step back.
Using a pass back to move the ball forward worked well as the Warriors defeated Fluvanna 4-1 Tuesday night in Palmyra.
“They really implemented our game plan very, very well. We have a very, very, very young team. I couldn’t ask for anything better than that,” said Western’s head coach Lesley Gourdet.
WAHS went to work early, scoring in the sixth minute on a Rachel Cooke goal. Marina Clark followed it up in the 13th minute with a blast from just beyond the 18-yard box.
Fluvanna didn’t give way. The Flucos stepped up the attack with Kat Ditta rifiling a goal from 20 yards out to bring it to 2-1 in the 35th minute.
“I just had a good feeling, honestly, just a feeling. I felt good so I figured I’d just rip it,” said Ditta.
Western’s Elsa Strickland quickly responded, scoring two minutes later to give the Warriors a 3-1 lead into the break.
“We’ve been working a lot with playing the ball in then dropping it back with having one forward. I think we did that really well tonight. We just moved the ball around really well,” said WAHS midfielder Katie Farina.
The second half went a little different than the first. The Warriors dropped to a bunker defense which allowed Fluvanna space to move and possess the ball. The Flucos were unable to find the back of the net in the half but Western’s Farina did. She iced the game in the 63rd minute to bring the final score to 4-1.
Fluco head coach Tara Garcia added, “[Tonight’s effort] was a huge step for us, we have to fine tune some things but we are looking forward to seeing them again.”
The Warrios (1-1, 1-0 Jefferson District) will return to the pitch on Tuesday to host Orange.
Fluvanna (1-1, 0-1 JD) has a week break before Louisa comes to town next Thursday.
