By Casey Castle
Register Sports Writer
BEREA —
The Madison Central girls soccer team took advantage of a slow start by Berea and took charge early.
The Lady Indians scored in the first four minutes of both halves on their way to a 3-0 district win Tuesday on the road.
Sarah Franklin drew first blood for the Lady Indians (3-1-1) with a goal in the third minute to give her squad a 1-0 advantage over the Lady Pirates (6-4).
The rest of the first half was more of a back-and-forth affair. Central coach Chris Dunham liked his team’s control.
“Possession was awesome today,” he said. “Passing was good — on the ground. We were finding feet and people were showing for the ball. It was definitely a good all-around effort. A good performance overall.”
Berea coach Jerry Bingham did not like his club’s sluggishness. The Lady Pirates were scored upon just three minutes into the second half when Mikayla Rogers found the back of the net.
“We weren’t being aggressive at all,” Bingham said. “The goal is scored and then we’re after it. We actually held possession on our end a lot of the time. We were a lot more aggressive after those goals. It’s unfortunate that’s what it took for us to get aggressive.”
Rogers scored again when Berea keeper Noah Short and defender Rachel Wilder had a break down in communication. Rogers intercepted a pass from Wilder to Short and scored on a chip shot.
“Those are two seniors — I know that’s not typical,” Bingham said.
Berea was not without chances.
The Lady Pirates threatened at the end of the first half and had a handful of strong opportunities before the third goal.
Taylor Powell got behind the Central defense, but her shot sailed just wide of the far post.
“The last 10 minutes they got a lot of attacking going on,” Dunham said. “We broke down and there was a lot of kickball going on.”
“I kept waiting,” Bingham said. “I thought one was going to go in. I thought we were going to pop one in the net.”
Neither team has much time to mull over the result. The Lady Indians play host to Madison Southern (3-3) at 6 p.m. Thursday.
“We’re just getting ready for Southern,” Dunham said. “That will be a huge game. I think this was good preparation for that. I think we’re looking good. I think we’re ready for it.”
The Pirates hit the road today and will take on Whitley County (2-2) at 6 p.m.
