Ark Valley News - Hornet soccer team remains undefeated

Hornet soccer team remains undefeated
By Taylor Messick
Last Updated: April 12, 2019

The Valley Center High School soccer team remained undefeated after a pair of wins during the past week.

On April 4, the Hornets beat Maize 2-1 in dramatic fashion.

The Hornets were aggressive from the start in this one. In fact, they got a little too eager on their first potential scoring play and got called off sides, which took a point off the board. But it didn't take long for the Hornets to settle in and the team got another chance to convert a goal early in the first half on a corner. Cheyenne Lisle floated the ball in front of the net to find Haley Sparks, who sent the header into the goal.

The second goal also came in the first half from Sparks. She took a shot from inside the 18-yard box that was deflected by the Maize goalkeeper. Sparks crashed the goal, followed her shot and ended up in position to clean up the deflection for another goal.

The Hornet defense shut the Eagles out in the first half and stayed between the Maize offensive attack and Hornet goalkeeper Kyrah Klumpp. Klumpp made a couple of spectacular saves early in the first half when the Eagles got a penalty kick. Maize got a couple chances to score on the play but Klumpp shut both of them down. Maize finally scored on another penalty kick attempt later in the game when Valley Center was called for a handball in the box.

Danielsen said Klump was the MVP of the game and said her performance was indicative of how the entire team showed up to play.

The Hornets remained undefeated April 9 after beating the Newton Railers 4-1 at home. Sparks scored the first two goals for the Hornets; the first of those was assisted by Kelsey Ray. Freshman Ashlynn Kurtz scored the other two goals in her first varsity action. Kurtz scored her first on a penalty kick, and her second was assisted by Sparks. Danielsen said Emily Breault was the MVP of the game for her organization and communication on the field.

The JV girls lost 7-0 to Maize. They won 3-1 against Newton, and Kurtz scored two of their three goals.

The Hornets travel to Buhler April 11 and host Andover Central April 16.