Lamar spoils ACCS’s opener

Published 12:01 am Thursday, August 2, 2012

Adams County Christian School's Mollie Simpson kicks the ball past Lamar School's Mary Love Hodge during Wednesday's season-opening game at ACCS. (Lauren Wood \ The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Lamar School’s Olivia Mabry made sure that the Adams County Christian School girls’ soccer team did not enjoy its season-opening game Wednesday afternoon at ACCS.

Mabry found the back of the net five times to help Lamar complete a dominant performance and defeat ACCS 11-0.

The Lady Rebels managed to hang with Lamar early in the first half, but head coach Jim Allgood said Lamar’s talent took over, and his team was unable to come from behind.

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“You have to control the ball against top notch offenses like (Lamar), and this was a prime example,” Allgood said. “Overall, in the first half, we were in good shape to play a very good half.”

Allgood said when Lamar started scoring some goals and built an early lead, his team started playing less aggressive and with less discipline.

Mabry scored two goals in the first half, and Madeline Hodge and Anna Arrington chipped in with a goal a piece to give Lamar a 4-0 lead at halftime.

Lamar then got off to a fast start in the second half, and Mabry scored within minutes of the opening whistle to make the score 5-0.

Arrington scored to make it 6-0, and Mabry then added two more goals to give Lamar an 8-0 lead.

Allgood said Lamar was a tough test for the Lady Rebels in the opening game.

“They are one of the top teams in the state,” he said.

Adams County Christian School’s Jordan Parker battles Lamar School’s Lindley WIlliams for possession of the ball during Wednesday’s season-opening game at ACCS. Lamar defeated ACCS 11-0. (Lauren Wood \ The Natchez Democrat)

Hodge added a goal to make the score 9-0. Alex Poole then scored to give Lamar a 10-goal lead, and Sarah Lawrence Tucker capped the scoring off with a goal late in the contest.

ACCS finally built up an offensive attack in the waning minutes and took its first shot on goal in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Lamar outshot ACCS 33-1 in the game.

Allgood said he was pleased with the way his team forced a few corner kicks, took a few shots and even forced an unsuccessful penalty kick in the final minutes.

“We have to maintain pressure on the ball, and improve passing and communicating,” Allgood said.

Allgood said he scheduled Lamar, a district opponent, to open the season to provide a benchmark for where his team is and where they need to be.

The two teams will face off again in the final game of the season.

“Hopefully by the end of the year this won’t happen again,” he said.

ACCS (0-1, 0-1) will take the pitch again Friday to face Copiah Academy at home.