Falcons clipped
- Updated: May 3, 2019
Aggressive Altamont blanks young Donoho 6-0 in Class 1A-3A girls soccer playoffs
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
If Donoho coach Jay Jenkins had a cap he would have tipped it.
His girls soccer team put together an unexpectedly strong season with one of the youngest teams in the state this year, but it came to an end Friday night against a senior-laden team that simply was relentless.
Altamont was aggressive for the start, hardly let Donoho get across midfield and knocked the Lady Falcons out of Class 1A-3A playoffs 6-0 at Lentz Field.
Mary Davis had a hat trick, including a goal eight seconds before halftime, and three other players scored as the Knights peppered Donoho keeper Maggie Wakefield with 29 shots.
The Lady Falcons (16-2) had given up only eight goals all season entering the game, but allowed half that many in the first half. They were shut out for the first time since last year’s state championship game. They’ve been shut out in their final game of the season each of the last three years.
“They’re just really good,” Jenkins said of the Knights. “They were far and away the better team tonight. We did not play our best game and I will tell you they had a lot to do with that.
“But we played with a lot heart, particularly in the second half, and I’m real proud of what they accomplished this season. You know, we weren’t supposed to be here. They kind of defied all odds.”
Altamont opened a 4-0 halftime lead. Davis scored twice with Frances Wilson and Ava Muller scoring in between. Davis scored the first goal of the second half and Elizabeth Hornak completed the scoring with 27:57 to play.
“They just didn’t make any mistakes tonight, and that happens. They’re peaking right when they need to peak. I hope they do well and go far. I like the team that knocks us out to win it all, makes me feel better about it in the end.”
That’s what happened last year. The Lady Falcons weren’t beaten in the playoffs last year until the state championship game. Along the way, they beat an Altamont team missing several key players 1-0 in the opening round.
“We didn’t talk about that much,” Knights coach Matt Kirkpatrick said. “It was a goal of ours to get to Huntsville last year so this senior-heavy group is certainly focused on getting to Huntsville.”
Altamont has 11 seniors. Donoho has 10 players in the ninth grade or younger.
Altamont 4 2 – 6
Donoho 0 0 – 0
Goals: Mary Davis 3 (A), Frances Wilson (A), Ava Muller (A), Elizabeth Hornak (A).
Shots: Altamont 29, Donoho 6.
Corners: Altamont 3, Donoho 0.
Saves: Rachel Wright, Altamont 3; Maggie Wakefield, Donoho 17.
To see pictures from the game click this link: www.bjfranklin.smugmug.com
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