After a hotly contested non-conference loss on Thursday night against 4A Laney, the Clinton women’s soccer team returned to conference action against West Bladen on Friday night. Clinton showed no ill effects from having to take the field for the second night in a row as they quickly dismantled the Lady Knights defense on their way to a mercy rule 9-0 win.

The Clinton goals came in waves. Reagan Barefoot opened the scoring with a goal just 1:28 into the match off an assist from Katey Yang. Exactly a minute later, at the 2:28 mark, Katey Yang took a pass from Alaina Capps and sent in the second goal. Alaina Capps picked up the third goal at the 6:01 mark of an assist from Reagan Barefoot.

Katey Yang got her second goal of the night unassisted at 10:01, building the lead to 4-0. Halla Gilpin scored the Lady Dark Horses fifth goal in the thirteenth minute with Ashlyn Williams getting the assist. Ashlyn Williams was on the receiving end of a Shakira Oseguera pass at the 18:55 mark that she sent into the nets to give Clinton a 6-0 advantage.

Elizabeth Coleman broke Clinton’s longest scoring drought of the match, nearly twelve minutes, when she scored unassisted at the 30:13 mark to push the lead to seven. Coleman assisted on Ashlyn Williams’ second goal of the match at 34:31 to move the score to 8-1. Nicole Spell punched in the ninth goal of the first half off Elizabeth Coleman’s second assist of the game at 39:05, giving the Lady Dark Horses the 9-0 edge and a sufficient margin to end the game after the first forty minutes.

After the game, Clinton head coach Jeff Smith, said, “It was good to get another conference win. We played a tough game last night and the girls really responded well, coming out sharp and putting West Bladen away early. We have to continue to stay sharp and use every opportunity we have to continue to improve and get ready for the playoffs.”

The win improves Clinton’s record to 9-4 overall and 6-0 in Four County Conference play. Clinton will travel to Smithfield-Selma for a non-conference match on Monday night before resuming conference play at Pender on Tuesday evening.

Reach Mike Carter at [email protected]

By Mike Carter

Sports Writer

Ashlyn Williams battles for position and launches a shot during Friday’s match against West Bladen. Williams scored twice and assisted on another Clinton goal in the shutout win over the Lady Knights. To view more photos from this game, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_2024.jpgAshlyn Williams battles for position and launches a shot during Friday’s match against West Bladen. Williams scored twice and assisted on another Clinton goal in the shutout win over the Lady Knights. To view more photos from this game, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.