Sunshine and clouds mixed. High around 70F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..
Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 54F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Perquimans’ Ashlyn Overman (left) and Northeastern’s Shiann Lambert (right) go after a ball during girls’ soccer game at Northeastern High School, Thursday.
Northeastern’s Emma Montero (left) kicks a soccer ball as Perquimans’ Mary Woodard (right) defends during the teams’ girls’ soccer game, Thursday, April 14, at Northeastern High School.
Perquimans’ Ashlyn Overman (left) and Northeastern’s Shiann Lambert (right) go after a ball during girls’ soccer game at Northeastern High School, Thursday.
Northeastern’s Emma Montero (left) kicks a soccer ball as Perquimans’ Mary Woodard (right) defends during the teams’ girls’ soccer game, Thursday, April 14, at Northeastern High School.
A windy Thursday afternoon in Elizabeth City saw no goals scored between the Northeastern and Perquimans girls’ soccer teams.
While opportunities picked up for both squads in the second half of the non-conference game and neither could convert, the two head coaches were still pleased with their respective teams’ play as both acknowledged it was as tight as expected.
“Very tough, competitive game,” Northeastern head coach Elizabeth Sundberg said. “Both teams were very evenly matched. It was a fight to the finish and unfortunately, we couldn’t put one in the net, so it ended in a tie. But they played hard, I’m very proud of them.”
“We battled from start to finish, so I’m happy with the results,” Perquimans head coach Jan Tripp added. “We knew going in it was going to be a pretty even game and that’s what it was. Wish we would’ve scored, but it is what it is.”
The 0-0 draw was the first game to result in a tie for both teams as Perquimans’ record stands at 6-3-1 heading into spring break and Northeastern’s is set at 6-8-1 with a 3-7 record in the Northeastern Coastal Conference.
The Lady Eagles were able to come up with the first few chances of the match early on when Zoe Pureza’s shot was saved by Perquimans goalkeeper Mariah Clark and Jada Simpson rocketed a shot from the left side four minutes later only to hit the post.
After Northeastern goalkeeper Anaya Harper accidently touched the top line of the penalty box with her cleat when throwing the soccer ball into play, Perquimans finally had its first real chance of the day when it was awarded a free kick halfway through the 40-minute half.
Anna Fisher was given the responsibility of the kick for the Lady Pirates as she ripped the ball past a Northeastern defensive wall, but Harper stood in place to bat down the line drive and keep the game scoreless.
Strong opportunities were hard to come by the rest of the half until the final minute when Northeastern’s Pureza passed forward to Simpson, who then found Gabby McMillan for what looked like a great opportunity if not for an offside call by the official.
Thursday’s game was physical throughout with Perquimans and Northeastern players jostling for position to get to the ball and a couple warnings were given in the first half, though nothing reached an excessive level.
“I think it was as expected for these two teams,” Sundberg said. “As long as it’s good, clean physicality like going for the ball and getting in position, I think that’s great and what soccer’s supposed to be about. As long as it doesn’t turn dangerous.”
Five minutes into the second half came arguably either team’s best scoring opportunity of the day.
Northeastern’s Mary Ellen Foreman ran her way close to the Perquimans net on the right side of the box and crossed it to her left, where McMillan seemed to have an open net to play with but she just missed getting her foot on the ball as it curved back out of the box.
From there, the game had a quicker pace to it as the teams got closer to the net still unable to execute.
McMillan had another good opportunity that sailed over the net as did Perquimans’ Ashlyn Overman 10 minutes later. Overman had a free kick opportunity to the right of the penalty box with three minutes to go, but Northeastern got out of it unharmed as both teams finished scoreless soon after.
“Seeing what the first half brough them, they were a little more determined in the second half,” Tripp said, of her team’s increase in chances in the final 40 minutes.
Clark made seven saves for Perquimans and Harper made four for the Lady Eagles
While it was one of just four non-conference games scheduled for Northeastern over its last 12 of the regular season, every game for Perquimans this season was and still is of the non-conference variety.
Perquimans is the only school in the newly-formed Four Rivers Conference that fields a girls soccer team.
So the Lady Pirates are trying to navigate their way to their first state playoff appearance since the program’s resurgence in 2019 by facing a full non-league schedule.
“We don’t get an automatic seed,” Tripp said, “so we have to fight for our position outside of the conference. So that’s what we’re trying to do. Other than that, I’m not sure exactly where that will leave us yet.”
Perquimans, which clinched a .500 record for 2022 at worst with Thursday’s draw, is scheduled to face Northeastern again at home as one of its three final games on Friday, April 29.
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
www.DailyAdvance.com 1016 W Ehringhaus St Elizabeth City, NC 27909 Main Phone: 252-335-0841 Customer Care Phone: 252-329-9505
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Invalid password or account does not exist
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.
Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
A receipt was sent to your email.