MP girls? soccer team falls to Burlington in first round

BY ANDY KRUTSINGER

Mt. Pleasant News

BURLINGTON ? A lightning quick Grayhound squad was too much for the Mt. Pleasant girls? soccer team season come to an end on Thursday evening in Burlington. The Panthers played a tough Grayhound squad and fell, 10-0 in their first round regional game.

The Hounds got off to a strong start scoring four goals in the first 22 minutes of the game. Starting Panther goalkeeper Elizabeth Heerdt faced shot after shot as the talented Burlington forwards were able to rush the net.

Towards the end of the first half, the Panthers were able to generate a little momentum but they could never find the back of the net. Lauren Ralls had two nice looks at the goal and Shyla Hiler had one of her own with five minutes left but each shot was either saved or went wide of the net.

Ralls had another shot saved to begin the second half, but a rush to the other direction turned into another Burlington goal. They made it 6-0 moments after that with a penalty kick score after a handball.

Hiler had three more chances late, one on a nice cross from Catherine Prough, but the Grayhound defense stayed tough all night.

Elizabeth Litchfield came into the game at keeper in the last few minutes. She faced a flurry of shots and made multiple big saves, but eventually the Grayhound offense found more success.

The Hounds scored their 10th goal late in the second half and the contest was called due to the 10-goal rule.

Mt. Pleasant finished the year 8-8. They will lose seven seniors from their active roster due to graduation. Among those are Ralls, Meagan Hoenig, Maddy Long, Tabitha Liechty, Carolyn Lutovsky and Samantha Lanphier.