Card girls' soccer: Koel leads way over Willmar

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Jesslyn Fearing started an offensive outburst for the Alexandria girls’ soccer team last Thursday night that didn’t end until the Cardinals had run away with a 7-0 win over Willmar.

Alexandria dominated in every facet of the game, outshooting Willmar 37-7. Fearing connected on the first goal just 1:24 into the game off an assist from Kayla Vanderveuer. Almost seven minutes later, Gabby Koel scored her first of four goals on the night. She also added an assist to add to a huge night for the senior forward. The win moved Alexandria to 2-0 before heading into a tough stretch of games against conference contenders.

“Our next three games put us against Brainerd, [St. Cloud] Tech and Sartell, three teams that are at the top of the CLC standings every year,” head coach Tom Roos said. “We are pleased with what we see so far, but we know that the competition will get very tough [this] week.”

Fearing finished the Willmar game with two goals. Emily Korkowski added the other goal, while Rachel Drew finished with three assists and Anna Carlsen, Vanderveuer and Becca Illies each added one assist apiece.

The Alexandria defense has been equally as good as the offense through the first two games. Illies, Sara Schmidt, Anna Lee and Taylor Ellingson are all new to the varsity scene. They have joined senior captains Jess Syvrud, Annie Schneiderhan, Megan Abrahamson and returning letter winner Madison Edmond to form a solid nucleus early on.

“Getting a defensive unit to gel and work together is a process,” Roos said. “The girls have worked hard and responded well, and we look to see them grow after facing some tough offensive attacks in the next couple weeks.”

Junior goalkeeper Sarah Bruzek has helped anchor that unit. She earned the shutout with seven saves in net.

GAME STATISTICS

Alexandria 7, Willmar 0

SCORING SUMMARY – FIRST HALF – 38:36 – Jesslyn Fearing goal, assisted by Vanderveuer; 31:19 – Koel goal, assisted by Drew; 30:53 – Koel goal assisted by Carlsen; 12:50 – Fearing goal, assisted by Koel; 5:51 – Koel goal, assisted by Illies

SECOND HALF – 39:48 – Koel goal, assisted by Drew; 24:09 – Korkowski goal assisted by Drew

GOALTENDING – Alex – Bruzek – W, 7 saves; Willmar – Lexi Dahlberg – 16 saves

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, girls, soccer