Sports
Page 13
Eight is great for the Lady Eagles by John Unrein The Grain Valley Lady Eagles soccer team scored eight goals to move their record to 8-0 on the season against the Fort Osage Indians on April 12th. The contest only lasted a total of 49 minutes with the spread rule coming into effect upon Grain Valley’s final goal by Meghan Knust just 9 minutes into the second half. A Fort Osage Indian squad that was not at full strength due to COVID-19 related issues put forth their best effort with reduced numbers. A perfect record remains intact for a young Lady Eagles squad that has shown a propensity for scoring goals this season. Grain Valley has averaged 4.75 goals a game through timely passing and nifty shot selection. The unselfishness of head coach Tyler Nichol’s squad has reaped success for the Lady Eagles. Freshman Kylee Bragaw was a prime example of this in the Lady Eagles win. Fellow freshman Emma Thiessen crossed the ball to Bragaw who used her left foot to intentionally send the ball at a high trajectory on a lob shot over the outstretched arms of the Indians goalkeeper. Chants of “Bragaw Ball” emanated from the Grain Valley sideline following the crafty shot on goal thirty minutes into the first half. Bragaw would be followed by Sevreign Aumua and Annabelle Totta with goals at the 31 and 32 minute mark of the first half, respectively. The offensive outpouring in a three minute time span pushed the score to 6-0 and left the Lady Eagles on cruise control heading into the second half. The amount of respect exhibited for the freshman by upperclassmen has existed since the start of the season and surpasses the contributions made by the eight freshmen on the Grain Valley varsity roster. “My teammates started repeating the ‘Bragaw Ball’ saying after my first goal of the season against Staley. It was coined by Coach (Brett) Lewis and has stuck,” Bragaw said. “I think it is really cool the amount of respect given by my teammates. Our coaches have given us time on the field and encourage us to be ourselves when we play soccer. The lob shot was due to other players being in the way and that being the best shot I had. I tried it and it went in.” Totta added, “Tonight was great. That was due to us moving ball around and communicating extremely well. The
depth on our team allows us to compete in waves. We trust each other to the point we do not have uncertainty regardless of who possesses the ball. Goalkeeper Camihle Williams produced her second shutout of the season in net for the Lady Eagles. Williams continues to become more vocal in directing her team with the pitch in front of them. A sign of the confidence that continues to grow for the sophomore goalie. “A shutout is always what you strive for and my team was affected by it in the best way possible. I continue to have open mindedness as a goalie in that your defense will not always do what you expect them to do. You have to adjust and avoid frustration if things do not go your way,” Williams said. The grin on Nichol’s face after a victory over a Suburban Conference opponent was unmistakable. The man at the helm will not be shy in telling you that the team’s performance has surpassed expectations thus far this season. The style and selflessness of play is what has Nichol the happiest as Grain Valley heads into a busy part of their schedule, playing three games the week of April 12th. “We were clean in our play tonight and moved the ball well against a quality opponent that was missing quite a few players. We know that it will not be this easy next time around against them (Fort Osage). We can only control what we can control. To see this many girls involved in our early season success has been very enjoyable,” Nichol said. “I hope it speaks volumes about our program -- the amount of care demonstrated by our team for each other in that they are a great group of human beings. This roster has not been mad in the sense that they are competing for spots with each other. It has been an environment that everyone is happy for each other regardless of who is putting the ball in net at the end of play.” Nichol finished, “I have to throw a shout out to Hannah Rast. She loved to throw her knee or foot at the ball the way Bragaw did tonight with the same result. The fun in that keeps me focused from thinking too much about our upcoming opponents. I am proud of this team.”
Left to right: Camihle Williams, Kylee Bragaw, Annabelle Totta, Rian Handy Photo credit: Valley News staff
Left: Sophia Giuliano advances the ball down the field for the Lady Eagles. Right: Alexis Arreguin throws the ball into play from the sideline for the Lady Eagles. Photo credit: Valley News staff
