Box Score MC Clips Huntingdon 3-1; Green Scores Twice
MARYVILLE – It was the perfect day to pour in a couple of goals, and that's what Maryville's top two scorers did to lift the Scots to a 3-1 victory over Huntingdon here Sunday afternoon.
Kelsey Green scored twice and Bailey Sipos once. Sipos assisted on both Green goals, including a beautiful free kick that Green volleyed into the net to give the Scots some breathing room early in the second half.
It rained from start to finish at the MC Soccer Complex, but that didn't slow down a determined Maryville offense. The Scots fired 24 shots to Huntington's five and kept the pressure on the Hawks for the full 90 minutes. The home side was unlucky not to score a couple more, but head coach Pepe Fernandez sounded pleased with the effort.
"We played really well today," Fernandez said. "I would liked to have had a few more goals – we had some easy chances that we missed. But giving up a goal and then answering right away was important, and Kelsey had a fantastic goal in the second half.
"Overall, though, I give us a great weekend. Winning two conference games back-to-back gives us a good chance to host one of those first-round games."
Fernandez was referencing the USA South conference tournament, which is right around the corner with Maryville now 3-1-0 at the halfway post. The Scots improved to 6-5-2 overall. Huntingdon was trying for a weekend sweep of Berea and Maryville but fell to 6-5-0 and 2-1-0.
Quick Response
Green scored her first goal in the 13th minute from right in front off a nice dish from Sipos. After the Hawks leveled in the 22nd minute, Sipos scored for Maryville just 44 seconds later. She picked the pocket of the Huntingdon goalkeeper after a back-pass and scored into an empty net.
"I kind of just read it," Sipos said. "I saw they were going to go back to her, and I really didn't think she would take the touch. But she took the risk and took the touch and I just kept going. And then, open goal."
In the 56th minute, Sipos was fouled and then lofted a free kick to the far side of the box. Green was on the spot for the one-timer and Maryville had smooth waters from there.
"Bailey had two really good assists to me," Green said. "We have been working on shooting and placement. It was a little slippery out here but not too bad. This was a great weekend for us to get two wins with the Piedmont game ahead."
Sophie Turner made three saves for Maryville. Team shot leaders with four apiece were Hailey Cartt, Ellie Filimonczuk and Sierra Lee.
Scoring Leaders
Sipos with seven and Green with six are the top two goal-scorers for Maryville this season. Both are tied for second on the team with three assists.
The Scots are back in action Friday night at Piedmont, which stands 5-3-3 overall and 2-1-0 in the USA South. Start time is 7 p.m.
