Louisburg bounces back to blank Sumner Academy

Louisburg freshman Olivia Barber pushes the ball up the field Thursday during the Wildcats’ home contest with Sumner Academy on Thursday. Barber scored her first high school goal as she helped Louisburg a 7-0 win over the Sabres.

 

A good way to get rid of the bad taste in your mouth after getting shutout is to return the favor yourself.

The Louisburg High School girls soccer team found that out firsthand Thursday against Sumner Academy.

Just two days after getting shutout by De Soto for their first loss of the season, the Wildcats got back on the winning track against the Sabres and left the Wildcat Sports Complex with a 7-0 victory to improve their record to 2-1 on the season.

Although it didn’t show on the scoreboard, Louisburg had a difficult time battling – not only Sumner Academy – but the wet and cold conditions as well.

“The conditions were soggy, but the crew at the school did a fantastic job having the field ready and prepped for us,” Louisburg coach Kyle Conley said. “The girls were ready and came out with something to prove. We were motivated and still bitter about how the De Soto game went. We worked really, really hard Wednesday to clean up some issues and I think that showed.”

Despite the sloppy conditions, the Wildcats were able to get plenty of shots on goal, especially from forward Mackenzie Scholtz. The Louisburg sophomore led with way with four goals and had a hat trick in the first half to give the Wildcat a four-goal lead at halftime.

“Mackenzie had a fantastic game,” Conley said. “We have been working on her movement a lot, and her hard work is paying off. Honestly, she actually could have had a couple more. She really did a nice job getting in the right position and making the correct runs. I am excited to see how much her movement improved over the past two games.”

Senior Bailey Belcher opened the scoring for Louisburg as she found the back of the net nine minutes into first half. Scholtz then scored three straight goals to give the Wildcats a 4-0 halftime lead.

Olivia Barber got into the scoring for Louisburg to start the second half. The Louisburg freshman scored her first high school goal to make it a five-goal advantage.

The Wildcats continued the onslaught when Skylar Bowman passed it into the box and Belcher headed the pass into the back of the net for her second goal of the night. Scholtz sealed the win for Louisburg with her final goal with 14 minutes left in the match.

Louisburg’s defense didn’t have many opportunities to turn away the Sumner Academy attack, but the back line of Kaitlyn Lewer, Camdyn Clark, Hannah Straub and Trinity Moore prevented the Sabres from getting any good looks at the goal.

Junior goalie Carson Buffington, who was in for injured starter Shay Whiting, saved the few shots that made it through the Wildcat defense as she earned the shutout.

“The back four did a nice job against Sumner Academy,” Conley said. “Honestly, we are trying to find the right combination that helps us, but doesn’t make us deficient elsewhere on the field. Injuries are also something we need to adjust too. The girls are doing well and played well. The best part about our team, is that any given night someone can step up and fill a role.

“Carson did a very nice job. She was communicating with the back line effectively and did a nice job on the limited chances they had. As wet as it was, she was very sure handed.”

The Wildcats have a busy week this week as they will play back-to-back days on Wednesday and Thursday. Louisburg will travel to Piper on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. start and then will host Heritage Christian at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

 

De Soto blanks Louisburg to hand Wildcats their first loss

Louisburg had a couple different setbacks during its March 27 road match with De Soto at De Soto High School.

De Soto jumped out to a four goal lead in the first half and never looked back in the 6-0 shutout over Louisburg. However, during the match, the Wildcats lost something else as well.

Senior goalie Shay Whiting had to leave with an injury and was unable to return. Whiting is scheduled to return later this week.

“I feel that the girls realize that we did not play very well at all against De Soto,” coach Kyle Conley said. “We understand how good they are, but we did not play to our level at all. I think we were nervous for the game. Then when they saw Shay go down it, we started to play on our heels and maybe even played a little scared. It was a difficult game in the first place, but we didn’t do ourselves any favors.”

Caitlin Walton and Mackenzie Mohl each had two goals to lead De Soto, while Jordan Zade and Jasmine Diaz added the other two scores.