Sports
Thomas More Rolls By Marietta 5-0
By: Brad Friedman
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A strong showing of offensive opportunities and time of possession guided the Thomas More Saints (6-1-2, 0-0) to a 5-0 victory over the Marietta Pioneers (2-7, 0-0.)
Both teams played aggressively, each squad amassing 12 fouls apiece, but Thomas More’s ability to win 50-50 balls put it over the top. The Saints outshot Marietta 7-2 and earned nine corner kicks to Marietta’s zero.
Thomas More’s offense began its strong day in the seventh minute when a Courtney Clark cross into the box found the feet of Olivia Huber. Marietta goalkeeper Kaitlyn Pearse initially got a hand on the shot, but it eventually trickled its way behind her and into the goal.
Another cross in the 27th minute, from Nicole Brown, went by two Marietta defenders and eventually into the lower right-hand corner of the net, courtesy of Emily Sanker.
Three minutes later, Clark got in on the action herself, netting her fourth goal of the season after the ball was kicked around in the box for about 30 seconds.
The match’s next goal came one minute into the second half when Pearse misplayed a long shot and Huber took advantage of Pearse’s gaffe for her second goal of the afternoon.
Clark tacked on an unassisted walk-in goal in the 62nd minute to put the tally at 5-0, but Marietta still pushed for a few more offensive chances. A Stevie Reilly cross into the box almost found the head of Elle Sage, but the cross sailed too high.
The final score almost finished at a mark of 6-0, but Pearse’s diving save to her right on an 85th-minute penalty kick kept the lead at five.
Assistant coach Jeny Wolbert acknowledged that her squad needs to pass accurately and know each other’s whereabouts in the offensive half.
“We have to play as a team, play as a unit and things will definitely take care of themselves” Wolbert said.
On the defensive half, leadership, Wolbert said, will mend any defensive errors.
“We need somebody to demand where the ball needs to be,” Wolbert said.
The Pioneers head to Tiffin next Saturday to begin Ohio Athletic Conference play against a struggling Heidelburg squad.