By Stephen Henderson

The Patrick County High School Lady Cougar Varsity soccer team defeated Magna Vista 3-1 last Tuesday evening.

Lydia Gunter scored first for the Lady Cougars about halfway through the first half on an assist from Samantha Hazelwood. Candace Freeman got the next goal on a breakaway run down the field just a few minutes later. The Patrick County’s third goal came with 30 seconds left in the first half when an indirect kick from Taylor Williams was deflected into the goal by a Magna Vista player.

Caitlyn Hardy recorded 18 saves in goal with 11 of those coming in the last 25 minutes of the game.

“We controlled the field the first half of the match,” said Coach Sandra Rakes. “The defense and midfield did a great job keeping control of the ball and shutting down Magna Vista’s scoring opportunities,” she added.

“We got a lot of opportunities up front and were able to take advantage of that. We lost a little of our focus in the second half and Magna Vista was able to use that to get some good shots off,” Rakes said. “We were able to hold them scoreless until the last 30 seconds of the game when we had a handball in the box setting them up for a penalty kick,” she explained.

Last Thursday, the Lady Cougars lost to the Lady Comets of Halifax by a score of 1-2.

Candace Freeman got the lone score for the Lady Cougars on a penalty kick when she was fouled in the box. Caitlyn Hardy had nine saves in goal for the night.

“We played a really good game,” Rakes said. “Halifax is a good team, and we were able to hold them to only two goals, so that says something for us,” she added.

“Of course it was rainy and really muddy, but we like to play in the rain. We weren’t able to get as many shots off as I would have liked, but we didn’t let them, either,” Rakes said.

The Lady Cougars host George Washington of Danville tonight (Wednesday) and travel to Martinsville Friday.