Knightettes drop final match of regular season

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

FARMINGTON — The Farmington girls soccer team successfully limited the number of first-half scoring threats allowed to Notre Dame on Thursday, but the powerful Bulldogs still notched a 3-0 win in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Several late rushes helped Notre Dame finish the contest with a decisive 20-6 advantage in shots. The first 25 minutes saw a majority of the action played in the middle third with the visitors capitalizing on their first dangerous chance of the match.

A second ball from Anna Wren slipped through a crowd of players to junior Mindy Siebert during the 19th minute, and her rising shot from 15 yards out caromed off the crossbar and into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Farmington (11-10) looked for the equalizer moments later as an accurate cross found senior Danielle West near the edge of the penalty area, but her rolling shot was gathered by Notre Dame keeper Shelley Frank, who made four saves for the shutout win.

The Knightettes narrowly avoided a two-goal deficit before the intermission. Courtney Luehmann had one drive redirect off the near post, while another in the closing seconds was corralled goalie Alexis Gordon.

Gordon totaled 10 saves in goal, including two impressive ones in the second half. The Farmington keeper stopped and covered a low strike from Wren after Siebert guided an excellent ball to her streaking teammate. Gordon also turned away a partial break-away by cutting down the angle.

Farmington created its best scoring threats on set pieces. A bending corner kick from Heather Lewis landed dangerously in the box before being cleared, while a long free kick taken by Katherine Crowell was caught by Frank.

Notre Dame (16-2) made its persistent pressure pay off with two insurance markers down the stretch. Taylor Sanders settled a failed clearing attempt in the 61st minute, and buried a curling shot inside the far post for a 2-0 lead.

Freshman Allyson Bradshaw capped the scoring with another drive just beneath the crossbar at the 70:00 mark, as Wren collected her second assist.

Farmington will host the Class 1, District 1 Tournament starting on Monday. The fifth-seeded Knightettes will meet Sikeston for a 5 p.m. kickoff.