Cody Jones/Summit Daily News
After two consecutive road losses to league opponents, the Summit High School girls soccer team recorded its third win of the season with a home win over Grand Valley High School on Friday, April 5th.
Despite losing their keeper to a broken finger minutes before kickoff, the Tigers started the game with frenetic energy in the first half, looking to maintain possession and develop their attack.
Needing a special win to confirm Summitt's hard work in recent weeks, the Tigers shocked the Grand Valley Cardinals by scoring two goals within the first 20 minutes of an 80-minute match, defeating the visiting team on both defenses. I cornered him. And aggressive. The first goal was scored off the foot of senior Ellie Sudduth, and the second goal was scored by senior Ella Snyder.
Across the cushion, Summitt continued to dominate time of possession while creating attacking opportunities.
Sudduth and junior Ariana Vazquez Rojas were the Tigers' two players in front of the net, connecting with defenders and firing shots toward the goal. Grand Valley senior goaltender Selena Quintanilla had a few shots late in the first half, but was able to limit herself to just two goals for the time being.
With time ticking down, Grand Valley went on the offensive in the final 10 minutes of the second half, but junior Olivia Lyman and junior Sadie Slahetka worked together to force a turnover and give the ball away. It flowed into the offensive zone.
Wanting to end the game once and for all, the Tigers began the second half by tearing through the Cardinals' defense and dropping passes in front of the goal. At one point, junior Avery Eitel took a strong shot toward the net, but the attempt was stopped by Quintanilla.
Sensing his team was on the verge of a game-clinching third point, Summitt continued to distribute the ball all over the field and dash past Grand Valley defenders. 16 minutes into the first half, Sudduth rushed to the front of the goal and took a shot, but his golden chance was blocked by the goal, giving Grand Valley hope for a comeback.
Minutes later, Snyder had a chance with a mad dash to the net, but his shot nearly missed the open goal.
Twenty-two minutes after chasing the game-clinching goal, Snyder stole the ball around midfield, used his speed to pull away from defenders, and went one-on-one with the goalie before firing a soft shot into the net.
The third point gave Summitt the final push it needed to end the game, repelling Grand Valley's final attempt and challenging Quintanilla on the final flurry of hits.
Although he had almost no experience as a goalkeeper, fourth-year student Viola Corning and second-year student Penelope Vitake shared goalkeeping duties and led Summit to a 3-0 shutout victory, improving the team's record. Improved to 3 wins and 5 losses.
“We definitely had to face a lot of adversity today, but it's great that we were able to overcome it,” Snyder said. “Penelope and Viola did great in a new experience that they haven't been a part of yet. They really gelled today. There was a lot of connection between our midfield and attack. Our defense didn't let anything go either. I would like to praise him for that.”
Summit will now prepare to face Steamboat Springs High School on Tuesday, April 9th in Steamboat Springs.
“This win shows what we can do and what we can do,” Snyder said. “This gives us the confidence to get into Steamboat and face that formidable opponent and hopefully sink the boat.”
Summit defeated Steamboat Springs 1-0 in the first meeting between the teams in the 4A Western Slope League in March.
