Amherst soccer loses to Golden Eagles

By Laura Clark

Published: April 16, 2008

The Lancers’ 3-0 loss to Staunton River on April 10 may have seemed more like a scrimmage than a game at times.
There were periods of silence among the players, some confusion among defenders and separation between the midfield and the forwards.
But the Lancers are adjusting to new formations. The defense changed from a flat-back four to a diamond, and coach Ronda Heeman has dropped the center forward to the midfield. Add to this the fact that the game was just Amherst’s third in five weeks, and the loss was taken in stride by a team that knew it were riding a learning curve.
“Hopefully, if we don’t have any more cancellations and get some playing time, we’ll definitely see some improvement with the girls,” Heeman said. “You can only do so much in practice against your own team and have it be beneficial. We just need to get into game play to make things work.”
Staunton River scored its first goal in the 15th minute when Kimmi D’Aiuto connected on a drop pass from the corner of the 18-yard box. In the 22nd minute, Golden Eagle Courtney Dearing took control of an Amherst goal kick and passed to Katie Brown, who placed a shot past keeper Autumn McKinney. Staunton River’s third goal was scored in the final six minutes of the half, when Dearing finished a loose ball in the box.
“They’re a tough team to beat because they’re very good at passing,” McKinney, who had 15 saves, said. “The first half we played down. We were kind of lazy, I think. The second half we kicked it in gear.”
McKinney and the Lancers shut out the Golden Eagles in the second half. Amherst’s defense was clearing the ball better and working it up to through the midfield. The defense, led by sweeper Michelle Meade and stopper Lauren Bryan, adjusted to Staunton River’s attacks and listened to McKinney as she called for space on thru balls.
“It’s just getting their timing down on that,” Heeman said of the diamond formation, “and how to work together and that entails communication. They were doing a lot better the second half of talking to each other and working together, knowing who was moving to the ball and who was covering.
“Second half, they definitely stepped up and played more of the soccer I know we know how to play,” she said.
The Lancers are 0-2 in district play and 1-2 overall. Keeper Moira Guzi had five saves for the Golden Eagles, who remained undefeated at 5-0 overall, 4-0 in the district.