Kyndal Zicker scores lone goal in 4-1 season-opening loss to Bartlesville

First-year Head Coach Matt Miller looks on during a pre-season scrimmage. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School Girls' soccer team (0-1) started off the season with a 4-1 loss to the Bartlesville Bruins in a non-district Friday night matchup at Memorial Stadium.

The Lady Sandites are in their first season under Head Coach Matt Miller. They went 9-6 last year and graduated two of their top-four scorers, but retained senior forwards Kyndal Zicker and Megan Deshazo who combined for twenty-five goals. The Lady Bruins also went 9-6 last season.

The game was a slow starter for both teams, but once the visitors got going, they didn't slow down. Junior keeper Abigail Banks stayed busy all night, hauling in four saves in the first twenty-minutes before senior forward Kearstin Littau finally struck paydirt midway through the first half. Next to net was one was Kelsie Eason with an assist from Danielle Lorson for the 2-0 Bruin lead.

Bartlesville wasted no time in the second half as Littau scored just five minutes in, then made it a hat trick eight minutes later. The lone goal of the game for Sand Springs came on a penalty kick by Zicker.

The girls will return to action Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in a non-district home game against Bixby (1-0). Their first district game won't take place till the 28th at Booker T. Washington (1-0).