WORTHINGTON -- Goalie Alivia Rowley picked up a shutout on the way to a 2-0 victory for the Worthington Trojans girls' soccer team over the Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers Monday in Worthington. The win was the teams first on the season.
The Trojans came out strong in the first half, getting 11 of their 25 shots before the end of the half.
"In pregame warmups, we talked about controlling the middle of the field," Trojans coach Emily Ahlquist said. "If you control the middle of the field, you control the game.
"I told the girls to think control first whenever they get the ball. I wanted them to hear my voice in their head saying, 'Control, control, control.'"
The Trojans were able to take control of the middle of the field due to a strong effort from their midfielders and the team as a whole. One player that really stood out in the middle was Whitney Coriolan, who prowled the middle of the field and was a physical presence throughout the game.
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"Our goal was to control the middle of the field and since I am a midfielder, it is easiest for me to help out there," Coriolan said. "I tried to be the first to the ball and made good connecting passes to my teammates."
Just over three minutes into the game Trojans forward Ana Castillo broke past the Panther's defense and got a shot off, but the ball sailed wide.
Dayana Fuentes got the ball in close just over four minutes into the first half, but G-SL goalie Brianna Elsing was able to clear the ball away from the net to stop the threat. Just a minute later, the Panthers got their first real chance of the night on a close shot that flew just over the top of the net.
"I tried to encourage my teammates to stay up and continue to control the middle throughout the entire game," Coriolan said.
The Trojans threatened again with 24 minutes left on a long pass from Criolan to Castillo. Castillo took the ball straight at the Panthers defense and got off a quick shot before they could close in on her. Esling came up with the save for G-SL and covered the ball to stop the Trojans.
The Panthers only other chance of the half came with four minutes left on a high shot that just cleared the crossbar.
The Trojans came out strong in the second half, getting a deep ball to Castillo, who sent it wide seven minutes in. Worthington came close to putting the ball in the net with 16 minutes left on a shot from Lydia Kemper with Castillo rushing the net as Esling covered the ball for the Panthers.
The first goal of the game went to the Trojans on a cross from Coriolan to Castillo who barried the ball in the top right corner of the net with 9:15 remaining for their first goal of the season.
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"I saw the game well," Castillo said through a translator. "I got good passes from my teammates."
Castillo also picked up the team's second goal of the game just over four minutes later on a nice pass up the middle from Fuentes. Castillo split the defense and then smashed the ball past Esling to seal the game for the Trojans.
"I just wanted to get us the win," Castillo said. "The team worked well together to get the goals."
Rowley made four saves in the game picking up her first shutout of the season behind a strong defensive performance from her teammates.
"Our defense controlled the middle better this game," Ahlquist said. "But we can still work on being stronger down the middle as well as quicker. We could also be stronger on the ball."
The Trojans play Wednesday night against St. Peters at St. Peters High School at 7 p.m.
Daily Globe Reporter Jordan Willi
may be reached at 376-7335.
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