By Becky Walz,
The Decorah girls’ soccer team was back in action Saturday, competing at Dubuque Senior. It took two overtimes, but the Vikes pulled out the 2-1 win.
After practicing for two weeks on grass, the girls struggled to acclimate to the artificial turf at Dubuque Senior according to Coach Loren Hendrickson.
“The ball bounced as if on an airport runway and passes often ran out of bounds rather than to feet. Nonetheless, our girls persisted, adapted, and competed,” he said.
Decorah got its first point on a 25-yard Clara Rooney free kick midway through the first half. While the Vikings developed a couple more good chances on the half but couldn’t put the ball in the goal. Grace Bachelder made a point-blank save in the first half to preserve the Vikes’ lead.
The second half was an even match with both squads having opportunities to score. Dubuque Senior scored its goal on a free kick when a deflection wrong-footed the Viking goalkeeper.
In overtime, Decorah developed better looks at the goal, but couldn’t quite put the ball in the goal. Moving into the second OT, the Vikings broke from the defensive end with a long pass to Taryn Sanderman who slipped a pass between the last two Senior defenders to Rooney. It was then a 1-on-1 between Rooney and the Senior goalkeeper, as the Viking sidestepped the onrushing goalie and rolled the winning tally into the net with a minute remaining.
JV action
The junior varsity girls ended the day with a 0-0 tie with Senior, although the contest was slightly better offensively for the Vikings.
“We had some great chances to score, but just couldn’t find the net with our shots. I was heartened to see our girls passing the ball and looking for teammates instead of just kicking the ball downfield as so often happens in JV games,” said Coach Hendrickson.
This week’s action
The Vikings host Independence Monday, April 12, at 5 p.m., then welcomes Gladbrook-Reinbeck to Decorah Thursday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m.
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