Girls Soccer - Avon Lake at Avon

John Kenny, August 18, 2012 11:41 p.m.

Avon Lake travelled to Avon and played to a 1-1 draw in the season opener for both teams.  The two teams played to a scoreless first half in which Avon Lake had the decidedly better scoring opportunities and even had a ball deflect off the crossbar.  In the second half, Freshman forward Maggie O'Donnell scored first for the Eagles at the 60:00 minute mark.  Her goal came after a mad scramble in front of the Avon Lake net on a ball which just eluded the fingers of Shoregal goalkeeper Abby Rogers.  She was assisted by senior Macey Slunski.  Avon seemed to take control of the game after this point, but then Avon Lake junior Emily O'Connor stole a ball and dribbled through multiple Avon defenders to score the equalizer with only 7:26 remaining.  Despite spirited play by both teams over the last few minutes, the game was destined to end in a tie.  Last year's game ended in a tie also and there have been 4 ties in the all time series which Avon Lake leads with a 7-3-4 record.

The game also featured the coaching debuts of Danie Schnaufer for Avon and Daegen Duvall for Avon Lake.  Not only were the head coaches new, but both teams were hit hard by graduation with 2011 District champion Avon losing 8 players and Avon Lake losing 12 players.  Not surprising with all the new personnel on the field that the game ended in a tie.  In goal for Avon Lake was senior Abby Rogers who recorded 3 saves and for Avon senior Kayla Wysocki made 5 saves.  Another exciting installment of the Avon - Avon Lake rivalry. 

As would be fitting, the JV game also ended in a 2-2 tie with junior Molly Jeffries and sophomore Kayla Osberg scoring for the Shoregals.