Napoleon, MI. – On a beautiful Monday evening the Napoleon Pirates girl’s soccer team made history in their inaugural season as a school-sanctioned sport as they played their very first game at home. The nets were in place, lines drawn, the pep band was there, as well as many Pirate friends, family, and fans in support of the young ladies.
And the team did not disappoint. In the first half, they started a little slow but as the game went on they were able to keep the Hanover Horton Comets off the scoreboard with some solid defense. Pirate goalkeeper Joy Flack was kept busy but did an outstanding job.
With a little over 5 minutes left in the first half, Hanover was awarded a penalty kick and scored to take a 1-0 lead. That would be all the scoring in the first half but after some great motivational talks and strategy from their coaches, the Pirates came out on fire for the second half creating challenges for the Comet defense.
Just a few minutes into the second half freshman Lily Eagen tore up the field and got a great shot on goal. Hanover came back just a few minutes later and on an odd-man rush, Pirates goalkeeper Flack made an excellent diving save to keep the deficit at only one.
At the 21:26 mark of the second half Hanover knocked down Lauren Mclain giving the Pirates a free kick. Eagen took the kick and placed it perfectly and the ball bounced off the chest of Sophia Jennings who expertly directed it into the net for her second goal of the season and first goal ever scored on Napoleon’s home turf! It was a fast amazing goal tying the score up at 1 as the Pirates celebrated and the fanbase went crazy with elation.
Hanover challenged the goal saying Jennings used her arm or hands but the referees upheld the goal and let it stand. Things started to get very aggressive after this but the pirates stayed strong and held their ground the best they could. Eagen was able to get off another good shot on goal as the Pirates kept challenging. Neither team was able to break the tie and the game ended tied at 1.
“It felt really amazing to score the goal tonight,” Junior Sophia Jennings stated after the game. “It was great to be able to do it here in front of everyone, in front of Pirate Nation. I’m very excited for next season as I am going to be a senior and I’m going to try to lead and bring up the new girls and keep building the program.”
The Pirates put 15 shots on goal while their goalkeeper Flack faced 16 shots. Hanover is 4-10-1 on the season and will travel to Leslie on the 15th. Napoleon is 1-11-2 and will travel on the 15th, Wednesday, to Grass Lake for a 5:30 game.
