Defense is key in Amherst's 1-0 win

Amherst goalkeeper Autumn McKinney made three big stops to make Hannah Burley’s early goal stand up for the Lancers in Amherst’s 1-0 victory over visiting Nelson County in an out-of-district girls soccer match March 31.

“That’s one thing I can count from Autumn is to be there, see the ball and read it very well, especially in wet conditions,” Lancers coach Ronda Heeman said. “I hope this win gives us a boost after the last two losses we had. I hope it brings us back up.”

The Governors generated three golden scoring opportunities after falling behind 1-0, but McKinney met each challenge.

“Every now and then, one will get past the (defense), but that’s why I’m there,” McKinney said. “(The defense) did a great job and I just tried to do my best.”

The first came in the 25th minute of the first half when Kestral Kerl put Hannah Lilley through and in on McKinney in a one-on-one situation with an excellent pass. Lilley dribbled into the penalty area and fired a shot into McKinney’s stomach from about 16 yards away. McKinney held for the save and most importantly didn’t give up a rebound.

Three minutes later, Kerl sent Lilley through with another pass, but this time McKinney came charging out and got to the ball just after Lilley arrived on the end of pass. Despite being beaten to the ball by a step, McKinney dropped down and smothered Lilley’s shot.

The third play came just after the start of the second half when one of the Lancers’ defenders misplayed an attempted clearance. Again, McKinney came charging off her line and beat a Nelson player to the loose ball inside of the penalty area and blasted it away to safety as the two players collided.

“You have to make that split-second decision,” McKinney said. “Do I go or do I stay, and it’s hard to make the right decision every time.”

“We’ve been struggling with (finishing on net) all year,” Nelson coach Phillip Kerl said. “I think it’s one of those things where once you knock one in, your confidence starts to build.”

Burley constantly pressured the Governors’ back line, but wasn’t as successful finishing for the Lancers as she was in their first matchup with the Governors when she scored a hat trick and Amherst won 4-0.

“I would have liked to see Hannah get another goal in but I think they were marking her a little heavier than they did that first game,” Heeman said. “But, she definitely put pressure on them the whole game.”

The goal that Burley did score in the second game came in the 20th minute of the match. Lancer A.C. Campbell swung the ball out wide to Burley on the right, who fired a low, bouncing, driven shot across the mouth of the goal that beat Nelson’s goalie and tucked just inside the far post.

“I thought we dominated the second half,” Kerl said. “I was really pleased with our effort and I think we are getting better with each game.”

“We had a lot better touch on the ball tonight and had much better passing,” Heeman said. “We’ve been working hard on that in practice and it’s something we still need to work on. And, our intensity is getting better.”

The Amherst girls won the junior varsity game over Nelson County 5-0.