DIXON - Like any good team, the ability to make adjustments can often provide the winning edge. The Madisonville-North Hopkins girls soccer team scored three goals in both halves against Webster County, but it was the latter half that pleased coach John Tichenor the most after he gave the girls a half-time speech. The Lady Maroons put those lessons to work in the second half in an eventual 6-1 victory.
Tichenor said North (6-3) went through the motions at times, but he was pleased by the aggressive second-half play, especially in the first 10-15 minutes of the break. That's when Alex Whittington and Mason Howard each scored to give the Lady Maroons a 5-0 edge.At halftime, Tichenor told the team the Lady Maroons must work the ball offensively down the sides to avoid the Webster (2-2-2) defenders packed in the middle."The concept was to play the ball wide to the corner flags into that space and let our offensive players run onto it," he said. "In the meantime, that spreads Webster County and opens up the gaps in the middle where we can serve balls in."It's the same concept, if you're playing a basketball game. If you always feed the post and the post is doing well, it's eventually going to open up that three-point shot."Senior Laura Rao scored with 16:40 left to put North ahead 6-0. It was Rao's second goal of the night. The score came on an indirect free kick, which deflected off the Webster wall and into goal.Overall, the Lady Maroons outshot Webster 37-4."We were out there and (Webster) knew what to expect and they played pretty well holding us to six goals with that many opportunities," Rao said.Rao provided the assist on the game's first goal by Alex Whittington eight minutes into action. Thirteen minutes later, Rao knocked home a rebound after Ellen Whittington's shot.Freshman Penny Pluimer scored on an assist from Howard in the first half's closing minutes. Pluimer returned the favor to Alex Whittington four minutes into the second half. Ten minutes passed before Howard scored on an assist from Ellen Whittington, who recorded two assists on the night.Ellen Whittington said the team's play picked up in the second half."I think at the beginning, like (Tichenor) said, we were just playing kickball," she said. "The second half, we really worked together with our passes and did what coach asked us to do. I think it worked out for the best."Lady Trojans coach Tom Welshans said his team didn't bring the right approach."I think a lot of it we were very defensive-minded today for an unknown purpose," he said. "We've been actually scoring a lot of goals this year. We just came out defensive-minded and a little intimidated and showed our youth."On the other side of the field, Tichenor was happy with his defense's game."Defense was solid," he said. "We had (McKinsey) Durham in the back, who did a good job. We had (Katie) Offutt, Carli Whittington and Megan Hutchens did real well. I was pleased. I thought Emily McClure came in and gave good minutes and Haylee Taylor did well in the back, too."North returns to action 10 a.m. Sept. 19 to open the Lady Donley Classic. Webster next plays 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Reidland.Tuesday, September 15, 2009
North cruises past Webster County, 6-1
Beach, Adams lift North to win
The game started late, but the offense was not for the Madisonville-North Hopkins boys soccer team on Thursday evening. Four different Maroons scored at least two goals as North (2-2-1) defeated Union County (1-3) by a score of 10-1 at Donley Field in a display of offensive firepower. Junior Jake Beach paced the squad with a hat trick. Senior Maarten Adams recorded four assists on the evening.
For coach Jeremy Roach, it was pleasing to see his offense succeed as he has tried many different combinations up front this season."I think we're starting to see it," he said. "I don't know that what we have is exactly set, but I think we know who we have to field those spots."It took just 61 seconds for sophomore Jake Hutchens to begin the scoring.Junior forward Ethan Crowell tallied his first score of the night three minutes later on assist from Adams. Then, the Maroons offense fell dormant until Zach Yonts found the back of the net when he fired one into the right corner for a 3-0 North advantage with 24:26 left in the first half.Two minutes passed before Logan Whitfield joined the offensive party. Whitfield received a pass from Adams and beat his defender 1-on-1 to notch his first goal of the night.Roach said he was particularly pleased with Adams' play."So far he's been our leading scorer and when he's not engaged in scoring, at least he's involved in developing those opportunities as well," he said.With 5:34 left in the half, Whitfield struck again to put North ahead 5-0. Crowell scored a minute later as the Maroons continued to pour it on.North led 6-0 at the break. Just like the opening half, the Maroons wasted little time getting on the board to start the second half.Sophomore Zach Yonts tallied his lone goal of the evening at the 38:53 mark. Beach recorded the next two scores with an assist from Austin Walker on the second goal.Beach said the key to North's success was the team's ability to pass well and get opportunities at the goal."We were just crossing it in good and letting people get shots off," he said. "We had 42 shots. Any time you have that, you're bound to score."Braves forward Corey Alvey erased the shutout bid with 18:23 to go in the contest. North goalkeeper J.D. Lester left the box in an attempt to corral the ball. Alvey slipped past Lester toward an empty net and let it fly.Beach finished off the scoring with 8:57 left on an assist from Christian Oakley.Adams said it was nice for the Maroons to settle in offensively before a schedule of difficult games Friday and Saturday."Coming into the game, we all knew what it would be like, but it's nice to just come in and have an easy game because we have a tough one (today) with Daviess County," he said.North returns to action 5:30 p.m. today to play Daviess at the Hopkinsville Boots Butts Classic.1st halfMNH, 38:59 Jake Hutchens - MNH 1-0MNH, 36:02 Ethan Crowell - MNH 2-0MNH, 24:26 Zach Yonts - MNH 3-0MNH, 22:10 Logan Whitfield - MNH 4-0MNH, 5:34 Whitfield - MNH 5-0MNH, 4:25 Crowell - MNH 6-02nd halfMNH, 38:53 Yonts - MNH 7-0MNH, 23:39 Jake Beach - MNH 8-0MNH, 20:58 Beach - MNH 9-0UC, 18:23 Corey Alvey - MNH 9-1MNH, 8:57 Beach - MNH 10-1Rao scores twice as North shuts out Henderson
nbrockman@the-messenger.com This season's version of the Henderson County girls soccer team may not be as successful as in years past, but Madisonville-North Hopkins felt no remorse taking it to their rival squad on Thursday evening.
Both teams have battled for years as 5th District rivals. The Lady Maroons (3-3) took this season's first matchup 4-0 over the Lady Colonels (0-5-1) at Donley Field.Senior Laura Rao scored twice as North picked up its first district win in the team's first attempt."It felt good - that's our rival," coach John Tichenor said. "It's a district opponent, so it's a good start and puts us in the lead as far as seeding goes."Tichenor's daughter, freshman Ellen Tichenor, provided the assist on a second-half goal by fellow freshman Penny Plumier with 28:38 left in the contest. The goal gave the Lady Maroons a comfortable 2-0 lead."I think the second goal was pretty much the dagger in them, and the third and four came just because I think the Henderson girls let down a little bit," John Tichenor said.Rao snagged her second goal of the game just three minutes later when she dialed up from long distance. Rao struck from nearly 25 yards out with force to give the Lady Maroons a 3-0 advantage.Although Henderson has not recorded a win this season, Rao said the team knew the Lady Colonels would step up and play tough."Hendo is Hendo," she said. "Every year, they're going to bring it to us. It doesn't matter who they've lost to or who they've tied."John Tichenor said he has been pleased with Alex Whittington's play up front, and the freshman delivered the game's final goal with 19:26 left to playNorth led just 1-0 at halftime. Rao provided the lead on a penalty kick with 22:04 remaining in the first half after taking a clip in the box. Rao's kick flew under the outstretched goalie's right side to the back of the net.Initially, Rao shot as the referee blew the whistle after placing the ball. Rao's shot was good, but premature as the ref waived the goal off and the forward had to shoot again."I didn't know if I should change my side or not, if the keeper would guess it, but it worked out," she said. "You just have to pick a side and pass it in."In junior varsity action, North defeated Henderson 4-0 as well. Halle Cunningham recorded two goals while Conner Adkins and Morgan Duvall each notched one.The Lady Maroons return to action 11 a.m. Saturday to play Trigg County at the Henderson County Invitational.1st halfMNH, 22:04 Laura Rao penalty kick - MNH 1-02nd halfMNH, 28:28 - Penny Plumier, assist Ellen Tichenor MNH 2-0MNH, 25:33 Rao - MNH 3-0MNH, 19:26 Alex Whittington, assist Ellen Whittington - MNH 4-0Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Howerton medalist for Central
By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Hopkins County Central golfer Taylor Howerton teed off against Owensboro Catholic with a new title, the team's No. 1, and she held to the role's responsibilities by taking medalist honors in a dual match on Monday evening.
Howerton, an eighth-grader, earned the top spot after her recent success. She continued to perform with a day's best 41 on the back nine at Madisonville. As a team, the Lady Storm finished six strokes behind the Lady Aces 198-192.
Coach Mike Zimmer said Howerton's status is well-earned.
"I think the past four matches she's been the most consistent, the most focused, the most driven player I have, and consistent is the big key," he said. "No matter what, she is 15 yards right or left of the fairway. She is never more than that, so her second or third shots never give her trouble. You look at her scorecard. She has one six."
Howerton, who typically plays behind older sister Ashleigh Howerton, said Zimmer told the girls whoever scored better at Saturday's Glasgow Invitational would play as the team's top golfer.
After the cards were collected Saturday, Taylor Howerton's score beat Ashleigh's by two strokes.
"(Zimmer) was like 'You're going to be the No. 1, so be proud,'" Taylor Howerton said. "I was very proud."
Howerton, an eighth-grader, earned the top spot after her recent success. She continued to perform with a day's best 41 on the back nine at Madisonville. As a team, the Lady Storm finished six strokes behind the Lady Aces 198-192.
Coach Mike Zimmer said Howerton's status is well-earned.
"I think the past four matches she's been the most consistent, the most focused, the most driven player I have, and consistent is the big key," he said. "No matter what, she is 15 yards right or left of the fairway. She is never more than that, so her second or third shots never give her trouble. You look at her scorecard. She has one six."
Howerton, who typically plays behind older sister Ashleigh Howerton, said Zimmer told the girls whoever scored better at Saturday's Glasgow Invitational would play as the team's top golfer.
After the cards were collected Saturday, Taylor Howerton's score beat Ashleigh's by two strokes.
"(Zimmer) was like 'You're going to be the No. 1, so be proud,'" Taylor Howerton said. "I was very proud."
Taylor Howerton said the key to her recent surge has been her ability to maintain focus. Now, with a higher team ranking, she said she feels no pressure.
"I'm just taking the same old approach," she said. "I'm just not nervous anymore because I know I can do it and be better."
On Monday, Taylor's tee shot on the par-three 17th found the green as did Ashleigh's. Then, on No. 18, a par five, Taylor hit the green in three shots while Ashleigh's second landed approximately 20 yards in front of the green.
Zimmer said he thinks Taylor's skills will only continue to improve.
"If she keeps playing like that, she'll win the state when she's a senior," he said. "If she keeps playing with that determination, she'll win state when she's a senior."
Meanwhile, Ashleigh, a senior, followed at 46 and Lauren Lacy broke 50 by one stroke at 49. Kaitlin Moore and Kendall Bryant rounded out the varsity squad scores with 62 and 71, respectively.
Zimmer said the latter half of his roster had an off night despite exhibiting signs of quality play in recent weeks. He expects them to return to that form if the Lady Storm are going to repeat as regional champions.
Three other Central golfers competed in a junior varsity match. Hannah Tow and Rebecca Spraggs both shot 59, and Kathryn Cartwright trailed two strokes behind at 61. Kristen Hulsey and Ashley Eastwood also participated, but did not finish.
The Lady Storm next play 4 p.m. today when Central hosts Apollo.
"I'm just taking the same old approach," she said. "I'm just not nervous anymore because I know I can do it and be better."
On Monday, Taylor's tee shot on the par-three 17th found the green as did Ashleigh's. Then, on No. 18, a par five, Taylor hit the green in three shots while Ashleigh's second landed approximately 20 yards in front of the green.
Zimmer said he thinks Taylor's skills will only continue to improve.
"If she keeps playing like that, she'll win the state when she's a senior," he said. "If she keeps playing with that determination, she'll win state when she's a senior."
Meanwhile, Ashleigh, a senior, followed at 46 and Lauren Lacy broke 50 by one stroke at 49. Kaitlin Moore and Kendall Bryant rounded out the varsity squad scores with 62 and 71, respectively.
Zimmer said the latter half of his roster had an off night despite exhibiting signs of quality play in recent weeks. He expects them to return to that form if the Lady Storm are going to repeat as regional champions.
Three other Central golfers competed in a junior varsity match. Hannah Tow and Rebecca Spraggs both shot 59, and Kathryn Cartwright trailed two strokes behind at 61. Kristen Hulsey and Ashley Eastwood also participated, but did not finish.
The Lady Storm next play 4 p.m. today when Central hosts Apollo.
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