Deerfield-Windsor girls dominate on way to semifinals

ALBANY — Deerfield-Windsor girls coach Aly Joslin couldn’t help but smile.

His Lady Knights turned in a dominant performance Tuesday beating First Presbyterian Christian Academy 9-0 in the second round of the Georgia Independent Schools Association state soccer tournament at Darton State College.

“We came out flying,” Joslin said. “We came out with a good speed and a good pace. Everyone looked a little bit fitter than we have in the past.”

The Lady Knights got on the board just seven minutes into the game when Leslie Sosby found the back of the net. It was one of two first half goals for Sosby.

“We got that early goal and created the early chances,” Joslin said. “Once we got the early goal and created the early chances, I think the girls settled down a little bit and got comfortable.”

After two missed opportunities, the Lady Knights capitalized on the next chance when Parker Morgan scored to make it 2-0 at the 28:08 mark.

Less than four minutes later, Morgan netted another when she followed up on a rebound after a corner kick by Rachel Sullivan to make it a 3-0 game.

The barrage continued when Sullivan scored at the 20:57 mark to make it 4-0.

“I thought it was a good fast-paced game,” Deerfield-Windsor’s Olivia Bell said. “We could have been faster, but it was good. We just need to keep going.”

Another goal by Sosby and one by Bell late in the first half gave DWS a commanding 6-0 advantage at halftime.

The Deerfield defense was swarming to the ball all night allowing just two shots in the first half.

First Presbyterian’s best scoring chance of the game came in the second half when a shot bounced off the post.

Joslin cited the return of Kendyll Freeman from an injury as a big factor in the shutout.

“She’s a big part of the defense,” Joslin said. “Communication-wise it settles everything down a bit. Having her back was a big positive for the first half.”

Emilee Foy opened the scoring in the second half with a goal at the 36:56 mark. Morgan completed the hat trick late in the game to make it 8-0.

Bell made it 9-0 and got her second goal of the game with 6:00 minutes left.

Deerfield-Windsor (13-1) will play the winner of the Weber-Westminster game in the semifinals on May 6 at the Blanchard Woods Soccer Complex in Evans.