Undefeated Union soccer teams too much for Sandites
/By: Virgil Noah, Marketing Director
Photo by: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
The Charles Page High School Girls Soccer team (8-2) carried a large amount of momentum into unquestionably their toughest matchup of the year. The Lady Sandites had won 6 straight including the Edison Green and White Tournament Championship beating Tulsa Memorial, Booker T. Washington, and Tulsa Edison by a combined score of 8-3. The Union High School Lady Redskins (8-0) entered the match undefeated and ranked #2 in the nation. They feature three Division 1 commits in Brianna Amos, Taylor Malham, and Parker Goins. Goins and Malham are both juniors committed to the University of Arkansas. Amos is a sophomore, and is committed to the University of Central Arkansas.
The Lady Redskins raced out to a two goal lead five minutes in on goals from Amos and Malham. Payton Lieb then scored back-to-back goals on assists from Malham, and Malham scored her second goal of the half in the 32' to put Union up 5-0. Sand Springs managed to get off three shots just before half, but the hits from Oral Roberts University commit Brooklyn Eardley, and Lauren Tavaglione went just wide of goal, and Megan Deshazo's shot attempt was dove on by Redskin keeper Paige Hobart.
Sandite keeper Abigail Banks and the back line really tightened things up in the second half though, as Banks made a multitude of impressive saves and Union was only able to score one goal. Sand Springs was held to just four shots for the entire game by the Redskins' stifling defense and lost by a final score of 6-0.
The Charles Page High School Boys (2-8) traveled to the Union Soccer Complex to face the Union High School boys soccer team (9-0) who also came in nationally ranked, at #8.
Sand Springs played extremely well defensively allowing just one goal in the first half, coming on a penalty kick from Aaron Ugbah in the 27'. Sandite goalie Edgar Soberano read the kick and dove for it, but Ugbah placed it just past Soberano's fingertips.
Charles Page managed just 2 shots for the match, the only one on goal coming from the left foot of midfielder Alex Hernandez. The shot came from well outside the box and was saved by the Redskin keeper. Danny Perez put the nail in the Sandites' coffin with a goal in the 69' to push the lead to 2-0.
Defensively the Sandites played very impressively, allowing just two goals to a team that has outscored their opponents 30-5 for the year. The back line is composed of Billy Pelfrey, Gabe Jeffus, Kristian Fairchild, and Kaleb Brooks.
Sand Springs will play next at home on Friday against Putnam City North, Varsity Girls at 6 pm. and Varsity Boys at 8 pm.
