ROCK SPRINGS – For the first time this spring, fans of Rock Spring Lady Tiger soccer got a chance to check out the team at home as conference foe Evanston came to town. The Lady Tigers looked sharp as the controlled offensively to take the 4-0 win.
The Lady Tigers took the field on Tuesday looking to get back on track after losing to Green River last time out. Rock Springs entered with a 3-2 record overall including 1-1 in early conference play. Evanston has struggled early on with a 1-5 record which includes three conference losses.
The first few minutes of the game was played in the middle of the field but it did not take long for the Lady Tigers to start controlling the ball and the pace of the match. With seven minutes gone, Rock Springs started the scoring. Lady Tiger Kristen McCrann took the ball in front of the Lady Devil net, was able to juke the Evanston goalie and put the ball into the open net.
For almost the next 20 minutes, Rock Springs continued to attack. Both Alyssa Graham and Madisyn Cantrell had strong attacks but the Lady Red Devil defense was able to keep the ladies off the board. Along with strong attacks, the ladies also controlled the ball well and was unselfish with solid passing.
The Lady Tiger defense was tested a little more in the final ten minutes of the first half but really did not allow any solid shots on goal by Evanston.
In the final minute of the half, McCrann again got free in front of the net to score her second goal of the game. McCrann’s goals were the different as Rock Springs took the two-goal lead into the break.
While the Lady Tigers controlled the ball for the majority of the second half, Coach Tamika Davis felt Rock Springs was even stronger in the second half. After several strong pushes towards the goal in the first half, Graham and Cantrell would not be denied in the second half.
Both ladies scored in the second half and the Lady Tiger defense remained strong to preserve the shutout. Before the small slip against Green River, the Lady Tiger defense only allowed two goals in the first four games and returned to that form on Tuesday. Overall, Coach Davis was proud of the effort on Tuesday.
“I am so grateful for my group of girls this year. They are so coachable and try to do what’s best for the team,” Davis expressed. “At halftime we talked about some adjustments that needed to be made and the second half was a whole different game. We have a lot of talent this year and each game gets better. We learn and continue to make adjustments.”
The Lady Tigers will take lessons learned into weekend play as they make their way to Green River for more tournament play. On Friday, the Lady Tigers will open play in Pool B with a couple of tough tests. At 11:20 a.m., Rock Spring will take the field against Powell. At 4:40 p.m., Rock Springs will return to the field against a strong Star Valley squad. The Lady Braves have opened undefeated and are one of the favorites to make a run at a 3A state title this year.
