First-Time Scorers Lift Bulldogs to Victory, Overcoming Halftime Deficit in Apollo Conference Clash

By Fred Kroner

Two athletes who had never scored a varsity goal came up big for the Mahomet-Seymour girls’ soccer team on Thursday (April 18) as the Apollo Conference-leading Bulldogs rallied from a halftime deficit to earn a 2-1 win at Mount Zion.

Sophomore Camryn Nelson tied the match 3 minutes into the second half.

“For that goal, Erika Johnson was able to win a header, playing it forward to Nelson who volleyed it over the keeper,” M-S coach Jeremy Davis said. “In a pretty back-and-forth second half, Johnson came up huge for the Bulldogs in crunch time.”

In the final three minutes of a match that was deadlocked, 1-1, Johnson was back in the spotlight.

Recalling the sequence, Davis said, “(Hannah) Creel played it into the box. Johnson was able to get on the end of it and poke the ball past the keeper.”

Maggie Moore had four saves for M-S as the Bulldogs improved to 3-0-1 in league play.

Davis wasn’t displeased by the majority of his team’s play early in the match.

“Mahomet played well in the opening half, controlling a lot of the play while Mount Zion looked to counter-attack,” Davis said. “About halfway through the half, the Braves caught some of the Bulldogs lallygagging and were able to two-bounce the ball into the side netting for a go-ahead goal.”

On Saturday (April 20), M-S was unable to maintain a 2-0 halftime lead and ended in a 2-2 deadlock with visiting Champaign Central at Middletown Field.

For the second game in a row, Johnson and Nelson netted goals for the Bulldogs. Nadia Biegler had an assist.

“Erika Johnson is turning into the mitochondria of the team,” Davis said. “She puts a lot of pressure on the backline and has been playing strong soccer for the Bulldogs. 

“Mahomet opened up firing. They did a great job winning balls and playing behind the Central backline. The strikers did a great job following the plan of attacking diagonally outside in. After serious early pressure, the Bulldogs were able to take the lead about 10 minutes into the game.”

Davis was pleased by the play of his defenders.

“The backline of (Hadley) Grotelueschen, (Paislee)Welge, (Ava) Watkins and Reed played well against the Central strikers,” he said. “Welge continues to look strong after returning to the lineup, and Watkins is another strong up-and-coming freshman that looked great after entering the lineup due to injuries.

“After making the move to center back the last two games, Watkins has been strong winning all four of defensive duels to deny both Mount Zion and Central breakaway opportunities.”

Johnson and Watkins, as well as scoring leader Jaycee Fancher, are all freshmen.

“According to Maxpreps, the Bulldogs have the hardest schedule in the area, and for a team that’s dealing with injuries and playing two upperclassmen, the Bulldogs should be in a good spot,” Davis said. “They are learning and developing with each of these games against strong competition.”

Moore had four saves against the Maroons.

M-S (6-3-3 overall) returns to action on Tuesday (April 23) at Charleston. Mount Zion is 7-8. Champaign Central is 7-3-1.

The Bulldogs’ junior varsity team defeated Central, 7-0.