Devyn Hart heads down on the field. PN Photo/Dai-shon Donald
By Dai-Shon Donald, Reporter
The Braves continued their win streak in dominant fashion over King University. They put on a show for their guests on Alumni Day in their third conference matchup of the new season. Coming into the match, the Braves held a four-game win-streak, two of which being conference-play.
The Braves opened the game with high on-ball pressure and made it difficult for the Tornadoes to advance the ball on their side of the pitch. As the Braves have demonstrated all season, their pressure defense helps power their attacking offense. Just 11-minutes into action, the Braves managed to find the back of the net. A power shot from forward Ashleigh Harris, redshirt Junior, gave the Braves an early 1-0 advantage over the Tornadoes.
The Braves continued their on-ball defensive efforts while also sustaining a striking offense. Their early gameplan paid off once more as the Braves added another goal on a solo shot from freshman midfielder Eugenie Amidou. This helped propel the Braves to a 2-0 start at the 18:48 mark. In just twenty minutes of action, Braves held the Tornadoes on the ropes as their lead reached 3-0. An impressive assist from Zion Sellers, redshirt Junior, helped Harris secure her 2nd goal of the match.
As the first 45-minutes ended, the Braves had allowed zero shots. Like their previous games this year, the Braves’ harassing defense and attacking offense was on display, finishing the half with 24 shot-attempts.
Entering the final period, the Tornadoes looked for a way to adjust to the Braves game plan by opening the 2nd period with a much more aggressive approach. Still struggling on offense, they depended on their defense to help create momentum.
As both teams battled in the final 45-minutes of play, tensions began to flare as a yellow card was issued to King’s Mackenzie Winters, a Junior. Following the card, the Braves took advantage with another goal at the 58:59 mark. Redshirt Junior, Naomi Fountain gave the Braves an insurance goal to push their lead to 4-0.
After the goal, the Braves had the Tornadoes back under pressure. Within just 8-minutes of action, the Braves extended their lead by 6. After an own goal from the Tornadoes, the Braves were credited for a team goal. Minutes later, freshman forward Mercy Bell struck a goal through the net to widen Braves lead to 6-0 on an assist from teammates Sellers and Amidou.
The physical play from the Tornadoes continued throughout the 2nd period as another foul card was issued to junior forward Ariana Gallegos, resulting in an ejection.
As the Braves held a 6-point advantage, their efforts continued to add pressure to the Tornadoes. After scoring twice early in the match, Harris completed a hat-trick with her third goal for the evening. Attacking downfield against the King’s defense, Harris created an open shot to make the score to 7-0.
As the match ended, one of the most impressive goals came at the end. With just a minute left to play, redshirt junior Nona Borden scored her first goal of the season with a 40-yard strike – allowing Braves to end the match with an 8-0 shutout.
“We felt we were athletically superior… we’re not a team that plays typically high-press but in this game, the way they drop their forwards off to defend – we decided to press a little bit higher,” said Lars Andersson, head coach of the Braves.
The Braves are now on a five-game win-streak. So far in conference-play, the Braves have yet to allow a single-goal from their opponents. Braves hope to continue their streak as they’ll be faced-up against Lander University (2-2-3).